Florida Designates CAIR and Muslim Brotherhood as Foreign Terrorist Organizations

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order on December 8, 2025, designating the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Muslim Brotherhood as foreign terrorist organizations under state law.

The order, posted on DeSantis' social media accounts, takes effect immediately and directs the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Florida Highway Patrol, and other state agencies to prevent unlawful activities by the groups. It prohibits state contracts, funds, or benefits to individuals or entities providing material support to them.

DeSantis stated: "Florida is designating the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as foreign terrorist organizations. Florida 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."

The designation cites alleged connections between the groups and foreign extremists, including Hamas and Hezbollah, both U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organizations. Court documents from the 2007 Holy Land Foundation terrorism-financing trial identified CAIR as an unindicted co-conspirator and linked its founders to the Muslim Brotherhood's Palestine Committee, which supported Hamas.

The Muslim Brotherhood, founded in Egypt in 1928, has affiliates designated as terrorist groups by the U.S., including Hamas. Countries such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Austria have labeled the global Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organization.

This action follows Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's November 18, 2025, proclamation designating both groups as foreign terrorist and transnational criminal organizations, which bars them from land purchases and enhances enforcement.

At the federal level, President Trump's November 24, 2025, executive order initiates a process to designate certain Muslim Brotherhood chapters as foreign terrorist organizations and specially designated global terrorists. Bipartisan legislation in the 119th Congress, including H.R. 4097 directing a review of CAIR for terrorist designation and the Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Act of 2025, seeks similar national measures.