{"id":84849,"date":"2025-12-16T04:35:07","date_gmt":"2025-12-16T04:35:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/84849\/"},"modified":"2025-12-16T04:35:07","modified_gmt":"2025-12-16T04:35:07","slug":"cair-sues-florida-gov-desantis-over-new-terrorist-designation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/84849\/","title":{"rendered":"CAIR sues Florida Gov. DeSantis over new \u2018terrorist\u2019 designation"},"content":{"rendered":"

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. \u2013 After being labeled a \u201cforeign terrorist organization\u201d<\/a> (FTO), the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) on Monday filed a lawsuit against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.<\/p>\n

Per its website<\/a>, CAIR touts itself as a \u201cWashington-based Islamic advocacy group\u201d dedicated to protecting the civil rights of Muslim Americans.<\/p>\n

However, an executive order signed by DeSantis says that individuals associated with CAIR have been convicted of providing and conspiring to provide \u201cmaterial support to designated terrorist organizations.\u201d<\/p>\n

As such, both CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood were deemed to be FTOs.<\/p>\n

\u201cFlorida 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,\u201d DeSantis wrote<\/a>.<\/p>\n

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY<\/p>\n

Florida is designating the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as foreign terrorist organizations.<\/p>\n

Florida agencies are hereby directed to undertake all lawful measures to prevent unlawful activities by these\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/2s48yYfEg7<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) December 8, 2025<\/a> <\/p>\n

In response, CAIR\u2019s latest lawsuit argues that DeSantis violated both the U.S. and Florida Constitutions, as well as other federal and state laws.<\/p>\n

The lawsuit also claims that DeSantis\u2019 order was issued amid CAIR\u2019s attempts to oppose motions in the state that \u201csought to suppress speech supporting Palestinian human rights and Muslim civic participation.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe has usurped the exclusive authority of the federal government to identify and designate terrorist organizations by baselessly declaring CAIR a terrorist organization,\u201d the lawsuit reads. \u201cHe has violated the Constitution\u2019s guarantee of due process by unilaterally declaring CAIR a terrorist organization and then ordering immediate punitive, discriminatory action against CAIR and its supporters.\u201d<\/p>\n

Furthermore, CAIR\u2019s lawsuit points to a statement by DeSantis shortly after the organization announced they would sue him.<\/p>\n

\u201cDeSantis then stated publicly that he welcomed litigation because it would provide an opportunity to obtain CAIR\u2019s financial records and internal information through discovery,\u201d the lawsuit continues. \u201cThese contemporaneous statements confirm that the Executive Order was intended to burden and deter Plaintiffs\u2019 advocacy rather than to serve any legitimate state interest.\u201d<\/p>\n

As such, CAIR is now accusing DeSantis of issuing an illicit executive order, as well as viewpoint discrimination and 14th Amendment violations.<\/p>\n

Now, CAIR is pushing for a judge to declare DeSantis\u2019 order as unlawful, though the group isn\u2019t seeking any money damages.<\/p>\n

You can read through the full lawsuit below:<\/p>\n

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