(TALLAHASSEE, FL.)- Just over a month ago, Governor Ron DeSantis gave the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) a foreign terrorist organization designation.
On Muslim Day, Feb 2, CAIR was present at the Florida State Capitol Building in Tallahassee, which responded with an increased police presence.
Photo Credit: from cair.com
Despite the terrorist designation, CAIR has reaffirmed its right and desire to lobby and operate as a non-profit organization.
Photo Credit: Hiba Rahim, CAIR-FLORIDA Leader / LinkedIn
“Governor DeSantis' executive order singles out and defames our community based on an 'Israel First' political agenda. CAIR-Florida will not stand idly by while we are defamed and our rights are denied.”
Local and national leaders alike have spoken against the terrorist organization designation from both Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Texas Governor Greg Abbott.
Stemming from the Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Act, which was introduced by Texas Senator Ted Cruz, the governors promptly acted.
On Nov 24 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order federally assigning a terrorist designation to chapters of the Muslim Brotherhood (Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon exclusively).
CAIR is accused of aligning with the Muslim Brotherhood, with the state governors arguing the terrorist designation extends to the non-profit as well.
Currently, the Lebanese Muslim Brotherhood is the only relevant organization listed with the FTO (Foreign Terrorist Organization) label on state.gov.
For National Muslim Day, CAIR, among other organizations, was in attendance to fight against specific bills they believe attack their cause.
Juxtaposed with Florida House Resolution 8001 and identical Senate Resolution 1578 (which proposed February as Muslim-American Heritage Month), HB 1471 and 1632 are allegedly designed to strengthen the government's response to domestic terrorism.
Photo Credit: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis / nga.org
“Florida is designating the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR as foreign terrorist organizations. Florida agencies are hereby directed to undertake all lawful measures to prevent unlawful activities by these organizations, including denying privileges or resources to anyone providing material support.”
House Bill 1471 punishes anyone who joins an organization with a terrorist designation as a felony. The bill also applies to anyone who provides ‘material support’ to such organizations.
As the Texas governor works to take away CAIR’s non-profit status, Florida HB 1471 will be moving forward in Florida.
HB 1471 will also allow the state to keep evidence related to terrorism from the public if deemed necessary.
Senate Bill 1632 works in tandem with the House Bill, with more domestic applications.
Leaning more into penalties and fines, SB 1632 states that any state or college university student who publicly supports a designated organization will receive several punishments.
Not only would a student be expelled, but the student would also be charged out-of-state tuition, and stop receiving state financial aid, including programs like Bright Futures.
Additionally, universities would be barred from putting any money towards any entities which advocate or support a terrorist organization.
Senate Bill 1632 and House Bill 1471 are currently making their way through committees, with a chance that the bills can be signed into law by July 1.
Today, Feb 3, both SB 1632 and HB 1471 passed their committee vote, the second for SB 1632 so far.
As it relates to CAIR, the organization is seeking a preliminary injunction in its lawsuit, in an attempt to remove the terrorist designation (temporarily).
If you have any updates or concerns, be sure to comment and email me at jason.f@lead4earth.org.
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