DeSantis Moves To List CAIR, Antifa Under New Florida Terror Law
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Florida will seek to designate more than 90 groups as terrorist organizations under a new state law that took effect July 1, including CAIR and Antifa.[1]
Under HB 1471, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement chief of domestic security proposes organization designations that the governor and Cabinet must approve by majority vote before publication. The law bars designated groups from receiving certain public funding and creates state criminal penalties for providing material support to designated domestic terrorist organizations.[1] DeSantis' office said Florida's initial foreign list includes the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and several Mexican and Venezuelan cartels.[1]
In December 2025, DeSantis issued Executive Order 25-244 that labeled CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist organizations. A federal court later blocked enforcement of that order on First Amendment grounds. Lawmakers then passed HB 1471 during the 2026 legislative session and DeSantis signed it on April 6. The bill created the new statutory process and took effect July 1.
The U.S. Department of State does not designate CAIR or the Muslim Brotherhood as Foreign Terrorist Organizations, and the federal government does not maintain a designated list of domestic terrorist groups as of 2026. Supporters called the move a necessary step against extremism, while critics warned the listings could chill student speech and other protected expression. Any designation still must begin with an FDLE proposal and win majority approval from the governor and Cabinet before taking effect.
The mainstream summary does not address the broader implications of Florida's HB 1471, particularly the lack of federal designation for CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist organizations. While the summary mentions that the U.S. Department of State does not classify these groups as Foreign Terrorist Organizations, it omits the fact that there is no federal list of domestic terrorist organizations at all, which raises questions about the legitimacy and motivations behind state-level designations. This absence of federal acknowledgment suggests that the Florida law may be driven more by political posturing than by a grounded assessment of actual threats. The International Center for Not-for-Profit Law highlights this gap, emphasizing that such state-level measures could lead to restrictive practices against organizations based on broad definitions of 'terrorist activity' that include influencing government policy or intimidating civilians. This framing contrasts with the mainstream narrative that presents the law as a straightforward response to extremism without exploring the potential chilling effects on free speech and the implications for civil society organizations.
Additionally, social media reactions suggest a polarized view of DeSantis's actions, with supporters framing the designations as a necessary stand against extremism, while critics warn of the potential impact on student expression and civil liberties. These perspectives indicate a significant public debate around the law's implications that the mainstream summary does not fully capture, particularly the concerns about how such designations could affect protected speech and the operational landscape for nonprofit organizations in Florida.
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📊 Relevant Data
The U.S. Department of State does not designate CAIR or the Muslim Brotherhood as Foreign Terrorist Organizations.
Foreign Terrorist Organizations — U.S. Department of State
The federal government does not maintain a designated list of domestic terrorist organizations.
State-Level Terrorism Designation Laws and U.S. Nonprofits — International Center for Not-for-Profit Law
📌 Key Facts
- On Wednesday, July 1, 2026, HB 1471 took effect in Florida, creating a state terrorist-organization designation process.
- Gov. Ron DeSantis said Florida will seek to designate more than 90 groups, including CAIR, the Muslim Brotherhood and Antifa, as terrorist organizations under the new law.
- Under HB 1471, the FDLE chief of domestic security proposes designations that the governor and Cabinet must approve by majority vote before publication.
- The law bars designated groups from receiving certain public funding or institutional support and creates state criminal penalties for providing material support to designated domestic terrorist organizations.
- The initial foreign list includes the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and gangs such as Cartel de Sinaloa, Tren de Aragua, Cartel del Noreste and Cartel del Golfo.
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