Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued an executive order on Monday, immediately naming the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as foreign terrorist organizations within the state. This directive commands Florida agencies to withhold privileges, resources, or support from individuals providing material assistance to these groups.
Governor DeSantis's order references the Muslim Brotherhood's long history of endorsing violence and its establishment of Hamas, a group designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. in 1997. The deadly attacks by Hamas on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities, are cited as justification for the designation.
Established in 1994 by individuals associated with the Muslim Brotherhood, CAIR was implicated in the Holy Land Foundation case, where it was named as an unindicted co-conspirator. Governor DeSantis emphasized the state's responsibility to protect its residents and to thwart material support for entities tied to terrorism.
This move by the Florida Governor mirrors a similar action taken by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who previously designated CAIR's Texas chapter as a terrorist organization. CAIR has announced intentions to challenge the Florida order in court, denouncing it as unconstitutional and slanderous, and alleging that the Governor is prioritizing foreign interests over the rights of Floridians.
In a joint statement, the national and Florida chapters of CAIR argued that DeSantis's action is a direct attack on civil rights advocacy and an attempt to silence critics of U.S. foreign policy, particularly those critical of U.S. support for Israel.
Addressing the potential lawsuit, Governor DeSantis pointed out the significant financial implications of the executive order. "A lot of it's financial, there's no question, a lot of it is financial. That's why I think a lawsuit is something we very much welcome," he stated, indicating openness to judicial scrutiny.
Furthermore, the Governor suggested that the Florida legislature might consider enhancing the state's legal tools to prevent support for organizations with alleged extremist connections. State officials argue that the designation is vital to prevent state resources from being channeled to support entities with violent affiliations, while adhering to lawful measures.
Conservative commentators have lauded the Governor's decision as a necessary step in protecting national security and ensuring taxpayer dollars do not support organizations linked to violence. They view the order as part of a broader Republican strategy to hold organizations accountable for connections to extremist networks.
As the impending lawsuit is set to challenge the scope of state authority in labeling organizations as terrorist entities, it raises significant questions about constitutional protections and the balance between civil liberties and national security concerns. The case will likely test the boundaries of state power and explore the extent to which governors can restrict resources for groups with suspected foreign terrorist affiliations.
