Florida Governor DeSantis Declares CAIR and Muslim Brotherhood as Foreign Terrorist Organizations

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed an executive order designating the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Muslim Brotherhood as foreign terrorist organizations. The order instructs state agencies to prevent these groups, and individuals providing them material support, from receiving state contracts, employment, or funds.

CAIR, a prominent Muslim civil rights and advocacy group, has denied any ties to terrorism and announced plans to sue the state over the designation. In a statement, CAIR and its Florida chapter described the order as "defamatory and unconstitutional."

This action follows a similar move by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who declared both organizations as foreign terrorist entities last month. Neither CAIR nor the Muslim Brotherhood is listed as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. government.

The Muslim Brotherhood, founded in Egypt nearly a century ago, has various affiliated groups worldwide. While some governments view it as a threat, its leaders assert that the organization renounced violence decades ago and seeks to establish Islamic governance through peaceful means.

The Florida executive order also directs state agencies to deny privileges or resources to anyone providing material support to these organizations.

CAIR has previously filed a lawsuit against Texas over a similar designation, arguing that it is "not only contrary to the United States Constitution, but finds no support in any Texas law."