Florida Governor DeSantis Faces Lawsuit Threat After Labeling CAIR a Foreign Terrorist Organization
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) announced plans to sue Governor Ron DeSantis following his executive order designating the Muslim civil rights organization as a “foreign terrorist organization.” The move, which also includes the Muslim Brotherhood, has ignited a fierce legal and political battle over the boundaries of state power and civil liberties.
At a news conference, Hiba Rahim, CAIR Florida’s deputy executive director, condemned the governor’s order as an unfounded attack steeped in conspiracy theories. She drew parallels to historical discrimination against Jewish, Irish, and Italian American communities, emphasizing CAIR’s commitment to defending constitutional principles, free speech, and democracy. Rahim suggested that DeSantis’s staunch support for Israel influenced the designation, noting that CAIR’s activism had caused discomfort to the U.S. ally.
“We are proud to defend the founding principles of our Constitution, to defend free speech,” Rahim said. “We are proud to defend democracy, and we are proud to be America first.”
Governor DeSantis, however, defended his decision, asserting that his administration had sufficient grounds to issue the designation. Speaking to reporters, he welcomed CAIR’s legal challenge, describing the executive order as “a long time coming.” DeSantis indicated that the order was just the beginning, signaling plans for related legislation when the Florida legislature reconvenes in January.
The executive order prohibits state agencies from awarding contracts, employment, or funds to CAIR, the Muslim Brotherhood, or any groups deemed to have materially supported them. This action follows a similar proclamation by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who designated CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist organizations, a move currently challenged in federal court.
Attorney Miranda Margolis, representing CAIR Florida, criticized the order as lacking legal and factual basis. “This designation is without legal or factual basis and constitutes a dangerous escalation of anti-Muslim political rhetoric,” Margolis stated at the Tampa news conference. She argued that DeSantis exceeded his authority by unilaterally labeling a nonprofit organization as a terrorist group.
The controversy unfolds amid broader national discussions about designating chapters of the Muslim Brotherhood as foreign terrorist organizations. Last month, former President Donald Trump issued an executive order initiating a federal process to consider such designations. DeSantis’s order aligns with these federal efforts and reflects a growing trend among some state leaders to take aggressive stances against Muslim organizations.
Muslim and interfaith organizations have voiced concerns about the implications of these designations, warning they may infringe on constitutional rights and fuel discrimination. The U.S. Department of Justice has historically maintained a cautious approach to such designations, emphasizing the need for clear evidence and due process.
As the legal battle unfolds, CAIR Florida’s challenge will likely test the limits of executive authority at the state level and the protections afforded to civil rights organizations under federal law. The case also raises broader questions about the balance between national security concerns and the protection of religious and civil liberties.
For more on the ongoing legal disputes over these designations, see the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s counterterrorism guidelines and the Council on American-Islamic Relations official website. The developments in Florida and Texas are being closely watched as potential precedents for other states considering similar measures.
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