Florida Governor Ron DeSantis
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has announced plans to file a lawsuit against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis after he designated the civil rights organisation as a “foreign terrorist” group.
Hiba Rahim, interim executive director of CAIR’s Florida chapter, told Al Jazeera that the move, though symbolic with no immediate legal impact, could fuel Islamophobia in Florida and across the United States.
“We’ll continue to defend civil liberties, protect American Muslims and uphold the Constitution,” Rahim said, stressing that CAIR will proceed with its work despite the governor’s declaration.
DeSantis issued the order on Monday, directing state agencies to act against anyone providing “material support” to CAIR. Critics, however, argue that only the federal government can designate terrorist organisations and that CAIR — a domestic body with multiple chapters nationwide and employees who are US citizens — cannot be labelled foreign.
Legal experts also note that “material support to terrorism” carries serious criminal implications requiring formal legal processes, with CAIR facing no such charges. The announcement follows a similar move by Texas Governor Greg Abbott last month.
Founded in 1994, CAIR identifies as the largest Muslim American civil liberties organisation, advocating for freedom of religion, free speech, and the protection of civilians. The group has taken major civil rights cases to the US Supreme Court and has supported legal challenges defending pro-Palestinian advocacy.
In the same executive order, DeSantis designated the Muslim Brotherhood a “terrorist” group, with repeated references to Israel and claims that Hamas seeks to eliminate Jews from “Judea and Samaria”, referring to the occupied West Bank.
Rahim accused DeSantis of prioritising an “Israel First” agenda over the rights of Floridians, pointing out that he held his first cabinet meeting in Israel in 2019. She also criticised him for not speaking out over incidents involving Palestinian Americans from Florida — including the killing of Sayfollah Musallet in the West Bank and the detention of 16-year-old Mohammed Ibrahim for more than eight months.
“What priorities is he showing when he elevates an ‘Israel First’ policy and ignores the needs of Floridians?” Rahim asked.
DeSantis has said he would welcome a lawsuit, suggesting it would grant the state access to CAIR’s financial records. Rahim responded confidently: “We welcome it as well, and we will see him in the courtroom.”
The move comes amid a rise in Islamophobia across the US, with several right-wing politicians and activists increasingly using anti-Muslim rhetoric. Bills aimed at preventing Islamic law — which rights groups call a distraction — were recently introduced by conservative lawmakers, while anti-Muslim marches in Dearborn, Michigan, saw racist insults and Qurans nearly set alight.
Florida-based activist Ahmed Bedier claimed that pro-Israel and right-wing groups are attempting to portray Muslims as a national threat to divert attention from Gaza. He called the action against CAIR “a political stunt masquerading as a security policy”.
The federal government has not commented on DeSantis’s move. The US State Department, responsible for issuing terrorist designations, did not respond to Al Jazeera’s queries.
President Donald Trump has intensified anti-immigrant remarks in recent months, calling the Somali community in the US “garbage”, despite courting Muslim voters during his 2024 campaign. Rahim urged the president to support CAIR.
“Every politician has the opportunity to make the right decision,” she said. “We invite President Trump to look at the facts and act based on justice.”