Muslim Rights Group Sues DeSantis Over Label
A major Muslim civil rights organization in the United States has filed a federal lawsuit against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, challenging his recent executive order that designates the group and another entity as “foreign terrorist organizations.” The lawsuit was filed by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and its Florida affiliate — CAIR-Florida — in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida.
The legal action comes after DeSantis issued an executive order on December 8, 2025, labeling CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood as foreign terrorist organizations and instructing Florida state agencies to withhold contracts, employment, and funding from either organization or anyone providing them material support. CAIR argues the order exceeds the governor’s authority, claiming only the federal government — specifically the U.S. State Department — has the constitutional power to designate terrorist organizations.
The lawsuit asserts that DeSantis’s order is unconstitutional and violates federal law, including the First Amendment protections for free speech and association. CAIR and its legal representatives argue the governor’s actions amount to government retaliation against a civil rights group for its advocacy and legal work, particularly related to defending pro-Palestinian speech and challenging state censorship or restrictions on such expression.
In the complaint, CAIR says DeSantis has “usurped the exclusive authority of the federal government to identify and designate terrorist organizations by baselessly declaring CAIR a terrorist organization.” The lawsuit seeks a judicial declaration that the governor’s order is unlawful and an order preventing its enforcement.
The executive order not only targets CAIR but also labels the Muslim Brotherhood, a pan-Arab Islamist organization with a complex global history. DeSantis’s order instructs agencies to block material support to those groups and to prevent affiliated individuals from receiving any state resources. Critics have pointed out that CAIR has no federal designation as a terrorist organization, and the group has consistently condemned terrorism and violence in its advocacy work.
CAIR has chapters in more than 20 U.S. states and works on legal actions, education, and civil rights outreach. In the lawsuit, CAIR and its Florida affiliate argue that the governor’s designation harms their reputation and could discourage donors, volunteers, and community partners. The legal filing also notes that such a label can cause confusion and damage even if it has no direct legal effect, especially when placed alongside groups already designated as terrorist by the federal government.
The lawsuit arrives amid heightened tensions and political rhetoric around issues affecting Muslim Americans. Statements by some Republican elected officials in recent weeks — including derogatory comments about Islam — have drawn criticism from civil rights lawyers who say the combination of political rhetoric and government action poses a grave threat to constitutional liberties. Lawyers representing CAIR emphasize that while bigoted speech is constitutionally protected, the government may not use its power to silence or punish protected viewpoints.
The Florida lawsuit mirrors a similar case filed earlier against Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who issued a comparable proclamation designating CAIR as a terrorist organization. That lawsuit alleges similar violations of constitutional protections and the misuse of gubernatorial authority.
CAIR’s legal challenge is significant because it tests the limits of state power in designating organizations as terrorist entities and raises questions about free speech, due process, and religious freedom under the U.S. Constitution. The outcome could influence how far state officials can go in labeling and restricting civil rights groups — especially those advocating for minority communities — and could set precedent for future legal battles involving state executive orders and civil liberties.
📌 Why This Matters
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Separation of powers: Only the federal government can legally designate terrorist organizations, and CAIR argues the governor overstepped.
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Free speech and civil rights: The lawsuit contends state action punishes protected speech and advocacy.
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Impact on Muslim communities: The designation harms reputation and civic participation for a major Muslim rights group.
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Legal precedent: A ruling will clarify limits of state authority in counterterrorism and civil liberties.
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Political climate context: The case reflects rising concern about Islamophobia and government targeting of advocacy groups.
⚖️ Key Legal Outcomes
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CAIR and CAIR-Florida filed a federal lawsuit against Gov. Ron DeSantis.
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The lawsuit challenges the governor’s executive order labeling CAIR a foreign terrorist organization.
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CAIR argues the order violates the U.S. Constitution (First Amendment, due process).
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The suit seeks a court declaration that the order is unlawful and an injunction preventing enforcement.
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The case echoes similar litigation in Texas over a comparable executive proclamation.
