Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has officially labeled the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as a “foreign terrorist organization,” aligning with a previous action taken by Texas. The designation, outlined in an executive order posted by DeSantis, directs Florida agencies to block CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood from obtaining contracts, employment, or funds from any state executive or cabinet agency.
In response to the order, CAIR and its Florida chapter stated their intention to sue DeSantis, calling the proclamation “unconstitutional” and “defamatory.” The organization expressed its defiance on social media, asserting that they would challenge DeSantis in court.
CAIR, founded in 1994 with 25 chapters nationwide, has been involved in legal battles with the federal government post-9/11, advocating for individuals unfairly placed on the government’s secret terrorism watchlist. The organization has faced unique challenges during the Trump administrations, particularly contesting policies such as the travel ban affecting Muslim-majority countries and condemning verbal attacks on Somali Americans.
Most recently, CAIR criticized the arrest of pro-Palestinian commentator Sami Hamdi by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, following his address at a CAIR event. The Department of Homeland Security accused Hamdi of supporting Hamas-led attacks on Israel, a claim he countered by attributing the violence to Palestinian oppression.
The Muslim Brotherhood, established in Egypt nearly a century ago, operates globally with a stated commitment to non-violent methods in seeking Islamic governance. While some view the organization as a threat, there are no specific Muslim Brotherhood chapters in the U.S.
