Florida designates CAIR, Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist groups
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has designated the Council on American–Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Muslim Brotherhood as foreign terrorist organizations in an executive order that bars state agencies from awarding contracts, employment, or funds to CAIR, the Muslim Brotherhood, or groups deemed to materially support them. CAIR-Florida says it will sue, calling the designation unconstitutional, while DeSantis said he welcomes the lawsuit and expects related legislation in January; the action follows a similar Texas proclamation being challenged in court and echoes a recent Trump executive order initiating federal consideration of Muslim Brotherhood chapters.
📌 Key Facts
- Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order designating CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist organizations.
- The executive order bars Florida state agencies from awarding contracts, employment, or funds to CAIR, the Muslim Brotherhood, or groups deemed to materially support them.
- CAIR-Florida says it will sue the state, calling the designation unconstitutional; attorney Miranda Margolis argued DeSantis exceeded his authority and that the designation lacks legal and factual basis.
- Gov. DeSantis said he welcomes the lawsuit, called the designation “a long time coming,” and expects related legislation to be introduced in January.
- Texas issued a similar proclamation and CAIR is already challenging that Texas action in federal court.
- The Florida action references President Trump’s recent executive order that initiated a federal process to consider designating certain Muslim Brotherhood chapters.
📊 Relevant Data
The Muslim population in the United States is projected to grow from approximately 6-8 million in 2025 to 35-45 million by 2100.
The Top 30 Cities Building the Future of Muslim Life in the Americas — Global Muslim Life
American Muslims are racially diverse, with one-third identifying as Black, one-third as South Asian, one-quarter as Arab, and the rest from various other backgrounds.
American Muslims 2025: A Brief Profile — Justice For All
In 2025, left-wing terrorist attacks have outnumbered violent far-right terrorist attacks in the United States for the first time in over 30 years.
Left-Wing Terrorism and Political Violence in the United States — CSIS
The Muslim population in Florida is estimated at 127,172 in 2025, representing about 0.6% of the state's total population.
Muslims in Florida: A Flourishing and Diverse Community Across the Sunshine State — Rakwa News
📰 Sources (2)
- CAIR-Florida says it will sue the state over DeSantis’s designation and framed the order as unconstitutional.
- Gov. Ron DeSantis said he welcomes the lawsuit, calling the designation 'a long time coming,' and expects related legislation in January.
- The executive order bars Florida state agencies from awarding contracts, employment or funds to CAIR, the Muslim Brotherhood, or groups deemed to materially support them.
- Attorney Miranda Margolis argued DeSantis exceeded his authority and that the designation lacks legal and factual basis.
- Article notes Texas issued a similar proclamation and that CAIR is already challenging the Texas action in federal court.
- References Trump’s recent executive order initiating a federal process to consider designating certain Muslim Brotherhood chapters.