Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has officially labeled the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as a “foreign terrorist organization,” a move similar to that taken by Texas recently. This designation, outlined in an executive order released by DeSantis, directs Florida agencies to block CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood from obtaining contracts, employment, and funds from any state executive or cabinet agency.
In response, CAIR and its Florida chapter have announced plans to sue DeSantis, denouncing the proclamation as “unconstitutional” and “defamatory.” The organization issued a bold statement on social media, asserting its intention to challenge DeSantis legally.
CAIR, established in 1994 with 25 chapters across the U.S., has been actively involved in legal battles with the federal government post-9/11, advocating for individuals it claims were wrongly placed on the government’s secret terrorism watchlist, which impacts air travel restrictions.
The organization has faced challenges during the Trump administrations, notably contesting policies such as the travel ban affecting citizens of certain Muslim-majority countries. CAIR has also condemned Trump’s rhetoric targeting Somali Americans and criticized the administration’s immigration crackdown, which includes increased scrutiny of social media and deportations of individuals expressing pro-Palestinian views.
Recently, CAIR drew attention to the case of Sami Hamdi, a pro-Palestinian commentator arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement after addressing a CAIR event in Sacramento. The Department of Homeland Security accused Hamdi of supporting attacks on Israel, a claim he refuted, citing the oppression faced by Palestinians.
The Muslim Brotherhood, a century-old organization with global branches, advocates for Islamic governance through peaceful means, despite being viewed as a threat by some governments in the Middle East. While it has no specific chapters in the U.S., it received the same “foreign terrorist organization” designation as CAIR in DeSantis’ executive order.
