Florida’s decision to classify the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as domestic terrorist groups has reignited debate over security policy, civil liberties and the legal limits of state authority in the United States.
On 29 September, Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet approved the designation of the Muslim Brotherhood, CAIR and another organisation under the state’s domestic-terrorism framework. The list also included references to more than 90 foreign terrorist organisations that have already been designated by the US federal government.
CAIR presents itself as a leading Muslim civil-rights organisation in the United States. Established in 1994, it operates more than 25 chapters across the country, including Florida offices in Tampa and Sunrise. The organisation has strongly denied terrorism-related allegations and has rejected claims linking it to the Muslim Brotherhood.
Florida officials, however, have pointed to historical documents and allegations concerning CAIR’s past associations as part of their justification for the designation.
The decision would stop the organisations from accessing state or local public funding, including certain grants and school-related financial support. Florida authorities have also stated that they will pursue action against people or entities found to be materially supporting the groups.
CAIR’s Florida chapter condemned the measure, describing it as unconstitutional and unsupported by evidence. The group is expected to continue its legal challenge. If no federal court blocks the measure, the designation is due to come into force on 5 November.
State Leaders Cite Funding and Security Concerns
Governor DeSantis welcomed the Cabinet’s vote and said Florida was acting to restrict what his administration considers financial and institutional support for extremist organisations.
In remarks reported by WFLA, DeSantis referred to CAIR’s previous identification as an unindicted co-conspirator in the Holy Land Foundation terrorism-financing case. CAIR was not formally charged in that proceeding.
DeSantis argued that the state needed to prevent financial channels from being used to support groups it considers dangerous. He said the Cabinet’s action had made Florida’s position official.
James Uthmeier, a senior adviser to the governor, said public money would not be used to support organisations listed under the state’s designation process. He also said Florida would seek to prevent them from securing government contracts or establishing a presence within public universities.
Civil-rights groups and CAIR have disputed those claims and criticised the designation process, arguing it risks punishing an organisation without a criminal conviction.
Earlier Executive Order Faced Court Challenge
The September decision was not Florida’s first effort to act against CAIR.
In December 2025, DeSantis issued an executive order classifying the organisation as a terrorist group. CAIR’s Florida chapter responded by filing a legal challenge in federal court, which resulted in the order being suspended.
Florida then relied on HB 1471, a law that came into force on 1 July 2026. The legislation established a formal statewide process allowing officials to designate organisations under domestic-terrorism provisions.
The Cabinet’s 29 September vote was made through that newer legal route. Human-rights organisations and legal advocates have since indicated that further challenges may follow.
Disputed Historical Allegations
The Florida government has referred to a range of historical records in support of its decision, including allegations involving former CAIR figures and individuals associated with Hamas or the Muslim Brotherhood.
A central issue remains CAIR’s previous listing as an unindicted co-conspirator in the Holy Land Foundation case, which was heard in US courts from 2007. The organisation has repeatedly denied involvement in terrorism financing or other illegal activity.
Florida Phoenix reported that Texas also designated CAIR as a terrorist group on a state-level list in 2025. Outside the United States, the United Arab Emirates has listed CAIR as a terrorist organisation since 2014, alongside the Muslim Brotherhood.
The dispute is now expected to move further into the courts, where judges may determine whether Florida’s new law and designation process can remain in effect.
