The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has halted its operations in Florida after the state officially labeled its local chapter a domestic terrorist organization, an unprecedented move that has drawn fierce backlash from civil liberties advocates. The decision, announced Thursday by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, follows a failed emergency legal challenge seeking to block the designation.
Governor Ron DeSantis framed the move as a victory for the state’s counterterrorism efforts, declaring that Florida is finally “holding CAIR accountable.” DeSantis reiterated previous claims that the group has direct links to Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood—allegations CAIR strongly denies.
Legal and Political Firestorm
The ACLU swiftly condemned the ruling, vowing to appeal what it called a “dangerous and sweeping censorship regime” that threatens First Amendment rights. U.S. District Judge Allen C. Winsor rejected CAIR’s emergency plea, clearing the way for the controversial designation to take effect.
CAIR called the state’s enforcement “baseless and unconstitutional” and confirmed it has temporarily shuttered its Florida operations. The organization is now fighting the ruling alongside the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) in federal court.
Crackdown on Funding and Contracts
The state’s designation stems from an executive order DeSantis signed last year, which bans designated terrorist groups from receiving public funds or contracts. CAIR-Florida, which has operated in the state for years, now faces exclusion from state benefits and local partnerships.
Founded in 1994, CAIR is one of the largest Muslim civil rights groups in the U.S., with chapters in over 20 states. The organization has long described its mission as promoting justice and defending the rights of American Muslims, a mission it says is now under threat in Florida.
But state officials insist they are taking necessary action against groups with extremist ties. The escalating legal fight is poised to test the boundaries of state power in labeling organizations as “terrorist” without federal backing.
Source: www.dailywire.com — https://www.dailywire.com/news/muslim-brotherhoods-florida-outpost-shuts-down-after-desantis-move