A federal judge on Thursday temporarily blocked Florida from enforcing Gov. Ron DeSantis’ (R) executive order labeling the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Muslim Brotherhood as foreign terrorist organizations, citing potential First Amendment violations.
U.S. District Judge Mark Walker, an Obama appointee, issued a preliminary injunction, pausing the order while legal challenges proceed.
Walker questioned whether a governor can unilaterally designate a prominent U.S. civil rights group as a terrorist organization outside of an emergency.
“The question before this Court is whether the Governor can, in a non-emergency situation, unilaterally designate one of the largest Muslim civil rights groups in America as a ‘terrorist organization’ and withhold government benefits from anyone providing material support or resources to the group,” Walker wrote.
The December 2025 executive order instructed Florida agencies to deny contracts, employment, and funding to CAIR, the Muslim Brotherhood, and anyone providing them “material support.”
CAIR, with more than 20 chapters nationwide, focuses on legal advocacy, civil rights protections, and educational outreach for Muslim Americans.
While critics note the group’s historical connection to the Holy Land Foundation terrorism-funding case, supporters emphasize its consistent defense of constitutional rights, Townhall reported.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier publicly supported the order and requested heightened security at the state Capitol when CAIR representatives met with lawmakers, citing ongoing concerns about extremist influences.
DeSantis and his allies argued the measures were necessary to prevent state resources from benefiting organizations linked to alleged radical activity, according to WUSF.
Walker’s ruling stressed that the order likely exceeded state authority and infringed on both free speech and due process protections.
CAIR-Florida Executive Director Hiba Rahim described the order as “lawless” and said no governor has the right to penalize an American organization for exercising constitutionally protected speech.
“The right to free speech is one of the Constitution’s most fundamental guarantees,” Rahim said, according to the Tallahassee Democrat. “CAIR and CAIR-Florida will, God willing, continue to stand as a shield for the American Muslim community and defend free speech, religious freedom, and due process for everyone in our nation.”
The preliminary injunction prevents Florida agencies from enforcing the designation while the lawsuit moves through the courts.
If the injunction is lifted or the order upheld, CAIR could lose formal relationships with Florida agencies, and private vendors, nonprofits, and local governments might hesitate to engage with the group out of fear of legal or financial consequences.
The case unfolds amid broader state legislation addressing terrorism. Several measures under consideration would limit public support for designated foreign terrorist organizations, create counterterrorism units, and establish penalties for those who promote such groups in schools.
Advocates warn these bills could chill free expression, while supporters say they protect taxpayers and public safety.
CAIR maintains the executive order is politically motivated, targeting the group for defending free speech and religious liberty.
The federal ruling underscores the tension between state-level security initiatives and constitutionally guaranteed rights, and its outcome could set a precedent for the scope of executive authority in designating organizations as terrorist entities.
