(TALLAHASSEE, FL.) – District Judge Mark E. Walker made a ruling to invalidate Governor Ron DeSantis' executive order.
The executive order, signed Dec. 8 of last year, was to add the Muslim Brotherhood, as well as the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), to the foreign terrorist organization list.
In the coming weeks, CAIR would file a suit and publicly serve the Florida Attorney General’s office.
On Mar. 4, Judge Walker submitted a 35-page opinion and order report, effective immediately (although temporarily), declaring Executive Order 25-244.
Photo Credit: Judge Mark E. Walker, Wikipedia
"The question before this Court is whether the Governor can, in a non-emergency situation, unilaterally designate one of the largest Muslim civil rights groups in America as a 'terrorist organization' ... This Court finds he cannot. 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."
Despite the governor's attempt to dismiss the case, the judge sided with CAIR, and granted their preliminary injunction request.
DeSantis’ team argued none of CAIR’s money or assets were seized, meaning CAIR had no right to sue.
Although there have been no arrests or fines, it is important to note that the South Florida Muslim Federation (SFMF) stopped associating with CAIR after the terrorist designation was made.
Laura Loomer, who owed CAIR legal fees, sued to end payments, claiming she would be paying a terrorist organization.
Governor DeSantis's executive order prohibits providing ‘material support’ to a terrorist organization. Although money does count as ‘material support,’ a judge sided against Loomer and said the executive order does not supersede a federal ruling.
Another point of argument stated Florida has the right to decide with whom they do business, and their own discretion on who they classify as a terrorist. According to the constitution, only the federal government can issue a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) designation.
Despite the executive order, CAIR still attended Muslim Day at the state capital in February.
Photo Credit: Hiba Rahim, CAIR-FLORIDA Leader / LinkedIn
"We welcome the court’s decision to block any enforcement of Governor Ron DeSantis’ unconstitutional proclamation... We are taking legal action to remind him that he is the governor of Florida, not the king of Florida."
The event, which CAIR organized, had a strong police presence and featured several other organizations, such as the Muslim Legal Fund of America (MLFA).
Several politicians came to show support on Muslim day, including Jacksonville Representative Angie Nixon and Representative Anna V. Eskamani, who advocated for legislation to make Muslim-American Heritage Month official.
As CAIR Florida enjoys their preliminary injunction, Texas has yet to come to the same resolution. Texas Governor Greg Abbott designated CAIR as a terrorist organization in November. Texas has also taken away CAIR’s nonprofit status. Citing Senate Bill 17 from 2025, Texas is preventing CAIR from buying land and resources.
On Feb. 5 Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit, with the goal to permanently end CAIR’s ability to exist in Texas.
The legislative issues have spread to their education system.
Texas has introduced the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA), a new school voucher program.
The program has a billion dollars in funding, and is designed to help families in need afford to send their children to private schools and programs, as well as pay for general school cost.
On Mar. 1, Mehdi Cherkaoui, a muslim lawyer with two kids, had sued Texas, due to every single Muslim and Islamic school being excluded from the program.
Texas is claiming the schools have affiliations with CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood, and will remain excluded.
As CAIR fights its legal battles, Cherkaui will continue to fight for inclusion in the state voucher program.
If you have any questions or concerns, please comment and email me at jason.f@leadforearth.org
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