DeSantis Takes Bold Action to Protect Florida: Over 90 Groups to Be Labeled as Terrorist Organizations
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Governor Ron DeSantis is leading the charge to safeguard Floridians by using HB 1471 to designate more than 90 dangerous groups—including CAIR, the Muslim Brotherhood, and Antifa—as terrorist organizations, sending a strong message against extremism and lawlessness.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has announced a decisive new initiative to protect the state from the threat of terrorism and radical ideologies. Utilizing the recently enacted HB 1471, DeSantis will 'identify, designate, and combat terrorist organizations operating in Florida.' The law, which took effect Wednesday, empowers the chief of domestic security to propose designations, which are then subject to approval by a majority vote of the governor and the Florida Cabinet, ensuring strong executive oversight.
The first round of designations will include more than 90 groups, including the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the Muslim Brotherhood, and the notorious Antifa movement, as well as dangerous foreign entities like the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Mexican drug cartels. This action follows a December executive order aimed at stamping out radical terrorist ideologies that threaten the safety and values of Floridians.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass emphasized that the initiative is designed to enhance public safety by providing critical knowledge of threats and fostering cooperation with federal partners. By taking these steps, Florida is setting a national example for how to confront extremism and keep communities safe.
HB 1471 also ensures that designated groups are barred from receiving public support, taxpayer funding, or other state benefits, and establishes criminal penalties for those who provide material support to these organizations. The law further protects the integrity of the legal system by affirming that foreign or religious legal codes cannot override the U.S. or Florida constitutions in state courts.
Despite opposition from groups like CAIR, which denies any involvement in terrorist activity, and the ACLU’s National Security Project, which claims First Amendment concerns, the DeSantis administration remains committed to defending Floridians from extremist threats. If approved by the cabinet, these designations will apply under Florida law, even though federal foreign-terrorist organization listings are determined by the U.S. State Department.
