In a significant blow to the Florida administration’s efforts to regulate advocacy groups, a federal judge has blocked Governor Ron DeSantis from labeling the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Muslim Brotherhood as foreign terrorist organizations.

The Ruling: A Constitutional Conflict

U.S. District Judge Mark E. Walker issued a preliminary injunction, effectively halting the enforcement of the Governor’s executive order. The judge emphasized that the state’s attempt to brand these organizations bypassed constitutional protections.

• First Amendment Violation: The court found that the designation stifled protected speech and assembly.
• Federal vs. State Authority: Judge Walker noted that foreign policy and terrorism designations are powers primarily vested in the federal government, not individual state governors.
• Lack of Due Process: The ruling criticized the state for labeling domestic civil rights groups based on political assertions rather than established legal frameworks.

Context of the Designation

The conflict began in late 2025 when Governor DeSantis issued Executive Order 25-244. The order sought to:

1. Bar state agencies from contracting with the named groups.
2. Prohibit public employees from associating with them.
3. Cut off state-level benefits for anyone providing “material support” to the organizations.

Governor DeSantis argued the measure was necessary for state security, citing alleged ties between the groups and overseas militants. However, CAIR—the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights organization—responded by calling the order a “politically motivated smear” designed to chill the activism of American Muslims.

What’s Next for Florida?

While this specific executive order is now on ice, the legal battle is likely far from over. The Florida legislature is currently moving to pass HB 1471, which would give the state a more formal, statutory path to creating its own “terrorist” lists. If that bill becomes law, it will almost certainly face a fresh round of challenges in the Supreme Court.

Tax Assistant

Suresh holds a Master of Commerce (M.Com) degree and is a dedicated personal finance researcher and writer. Combining his advanced academic background in commerce with deep industry research, he covers complex topics like taxation, banking systems, credit analysis, and personal finance strategies. As the founder of Tax Assistant (taxassistant.org), Suresh is committed to translating complicated financial guidelines and economic data into simple, accurate, and actionable educational resources for everyday readers.