Florida Terrorist Designation: CAIR, Muslim Brotherhood and the Legal Battle


The Florida terrorist designation approved on September 29, 2026, represents an unprecedented state-level intervention in terrorism policy. Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet voted to designate the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), its Florida chapter, the Muslim Brotherhood, and Antifa as domestic terrorist organizations, while applying foreign terrorist designations to more than 90 groups already listed federally, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Tren de Aragua . The vote took approximately thirty seconds, with no public testimony permitted and the ACLU's request to speak denied .



What Did Florida Approve on September 29, 2026?

The Florida Cabinet, comprising Governor DeSantis, Attorney General James Uthmeier, Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia, and Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, approved a 427-page packet of designations submitted by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement . Under HB 1471, which took effect July 1, 2026, the Chief of Domestic Security may designate organizations as domestic or foreign terrorist groups, subject to Cabinet approval by majority vote . The designations take effect November 5, 2026, unless blocked by courts .

Why Was CAIR Included in Florida's Terrorist Designation?

The FDLE's findings cite CAIR's listing as an "unindicted co-conspirator" in the 2007 U.S. v. Holy Land Foundation terrorism financing case, along with alleged connections between founding members and Hamas leadership, including Mousa Mohammed Abu Marzook . The documents also cite the 2014 designation of CAIR by the United Arab Emirates, which was later removed from the final records . CAIR denies any ties to terrorism and describes itself as America's largest Muslim civil rights organization, with more than 25 chapters nationwide .

What Does Florida's Terrorist Designation Mean Legally?

Designated organizations are barred from receiving taxpayer funding, state contracts, or grants. Schools affiliated with designated groups cannot receive state K-12 scholarship program money. Public universities and colleges are prohibited from using state or federal funds to support programs promoting designated organizations . The law mandates expulsion of students in the Florida College System who "promote" designated groups, defined as actions reasonably interpreted as threats, disruption, or material support . Individuals knowingly providing material support face criminal penalties .

What Is the Difference Between Florida's State Designation and Federal FTO Designation?

Florida's framework is distinct from the federal Foreign Terrorist Organization system, which rests exclusively with the U.S. Secretary of State under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act . CAIR has never been designated as an FTO by the federal government . The Florida law creates a parallel state-level system allowing the Chief of Domestic Security to designate both domestic terrorist organizations based in Florida or the U.S. and foreign terrorist organizations already designated federally .

What Legal Challenge Has CAIR Filed Against Florida?

CAIR and CAIR-Florida filed suit in federal court in early July 2026, alleging violations of the First Amendment and the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment . The ACLU, Southern Poverty Law Center, and Bondurant Mixson & Elmore LLP represent the plaintiffs. Following the Cabinet vote, the ACLU announced plans to file an amended complaint and an emergency motion to block the designations before their November 5 effective date . Hina Shamsi, director of the ACLU National Security Project, stated there is "nowhere in that notice any allegation or evidence that CAIR has engaged in any violent or dangerous act" .

What Is the Timeline of Florida's Terrorist Designation Law?

In December 2025, DeSantis issued an executive order designating CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist organizations, which U.S. District Judge Mark Walker blocked in March 2026, writing that the First Amendment "bars the Governor from continuing the troubling trend of using an executive office to make a political statement at the expense of others' constitutional rights" . The Legislature then passed HB 1471 in February 2026, signed into law and effective July 1, 2026 . DeSantis announced his intent to designate CAIR, Muslim Brotherhood, and Antifa the same day the law took effect . The emergency rule establishing procedures was approved September 11, 2026, leading to the September 29 Cabinet vote .

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What did Florida approve on September 29, 2026?The Florida Cabinet approved designations of CAIR, CAIR-Florida, the Muslim Brotherhood, and Antifa as domestic terrorist organizations, plus 90+ federally designated foreign terrorist organizations including the IRGC, Sinaloa cartel, and Tren de Aragua .

Why was CAIR included in Florida's designation?FDLE findings cited CAIR's unindicted co-conspirator status in the Holy Land Foundation case and alleged founding member ties to Hamas leadership. CAIR denies all allegations and has never been federally designated .

What is the difference between Florida's designation and federal FTO status?Federal FTO designation rests solely with the Secretary of State. Florida's HB 1471 created a parallel state system allowing the Chief of Domestic Security to designate domestic and foreign terrorist organizations subject to Cabinet approval .

What legal challenge has CAIR filed?CAIR and CAIR-Florida filed a federal lawsuit in July 2026 alleging First and Fourteenth Amendment violations. The ACLU plans an emergency motion to block the designations before November 5.

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