Florida targets leading Muslim civil rights group with unprecedented terrorist designation

TALLAHASSEE, Florida (MNTV) — The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States, has been labeled a “foreign terrorist organization” by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in a move experts say dangerously criminalizes Muslim civic life.

The state-level designation, issued through an executive order on Monday, also targeted the Muslim Brotherhood, directing Florida agencies to deny resources or privileges to anyone accused of providing “material support” to the organizations. Although the order is effective immediately, it carries no federal legal force, as only the U.S. State Department can issue formal terrorist designations.

CAIR, founded in 1994 and widely known for defending religious freedom, fighting discrimination and providing legal support to victims of Islamophobia. It has repeatedly condemned all forms of violence and terrorism.

The move mirrors similar actions taken last month by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, and comes alongside an executive order by President Donald Trump instructing federal agencies to explore whether chapters of the Muslim Brotherhood should be listed as terrorist organizations.

Civil rights advocates warn the designation risks stigmatizing Muslim communities, chilling free speech, and setting a dangerous precedent for state-level targeting of lawful advocacy groups.

CAIR and its Florida chapter announced they will challenge the order in court, calling it a “defamatory and unconstitutional” attempt to silence Muslim Americans — particularly those critical of U.S. and Israeli government policies.

Neither CAIR nor the Muslim Brotherhood appear on the U.S. government’s official list of foreign terrorist organizations.