Tallahassee — On Monday, U.S. District Judge Mark E. Walker rejected a request from CAIR and its Florida chapter to immediately halt the state’s plan to classify the organization as a domestic terrorist group. The ruling means Florida can proceed with its designation under House Bill 1471, signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis earlier this month.
CAIR filed a federal lawsuit last week, claiming the designation infringes on its First Amendment rights and violates the Fourteenth Amendment’s Due Process Clause. The group sought an emergency restraining order to prevent the law from taking effect while litigation unfolds.
Judge Walker explained in his ruling that he was “not persuaded that relief must be afforded before defendants are heard.” In response, CAIR’s attorneys submitted a motion urging the court to reconsider, warning that the designation could force the organization to shut down operations in Florida and severely impair its national mission.
The controversy follows DeSantis’s December executive order labeling both CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist organizations, echoing similar actions taken by Texas Governor Greg Abbott. At the federal level, the Trump administration previously began the process of designating certain Muslim Brotherhood branches as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs).
In January, the U.S. formally designated the Egyptian, Jordanian, and Lebanese branches of the Muslim Brotherhood as global terrorists, citing their support for Hamas. Florida’s move now extends that framework to domestic organizations, raising questions about the balance between state authority and constitutional protections.
Key Points
- Judge’s ruling: Emergency block denied; case continues.
- CAIR’s claim: Violates First and Fourteenth Amendments.
- Governor’s action: DeSantis designated CAIR and Muslim Brotherhood under state law.
- Federal context: U.S. has designated several Muslim Brotherhood branches as global terrorists.
- Next step: CAIR seeks reconsideration; broader legal battle ahead.
Credit: Israel National News / JNS
