Muslim group CAIR to sue Florida Governor Ron DeSantis over ‘terror’ label

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) announced plans to sue Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in December 2025 for designating the organization as a "foreign terrorist" group. DeSantis's decision calls for state agencies to take action against those providing support to CAIR. While the designation is largely symbolic, as such labels are typically federal, CAIR's interim director stated it could fuel Islamophobia nationwide. CAIR, a domestic civil rights group founded in 1994, defends Muslim civil liberties and opposes violence against civilians. The group says it will continue its work despite the governor's action, which mirrors a similar move by the Texas governor.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a US Muslim civil rights group, a foreign terrorist organization, following a similar move by Texas Governor Greg Abbott. DeSantis's order also targets the Muslim Brotherhood, neither of which are designated as such by the US government. The order directs Florida agencies to prevent unlawful activities by these organizations and deny them resources. DeSantis claims CAIR was founded by individuals connected to the Muslim Brotherhood, linking them to Hamas and the October 7th attack on Israel, allegations CAIR denies. CAIR has vowed to sue Florida, accusing DeSantis of Islamophobia and prioritizing the Israeli government. They assert the move aims to silence American Muslims critical of US support for Israel's actions in Gaza.