Federal judge blocks Ron DeSantis' order calling CAIR a terrorist group
A federal judge has blocked an executive order by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis that labelled the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) a terrorist organisation. The ruling, issued by U.S. District Judge Mark Walker, declared the move unconstitutional under the First Amendment.
Civil rights groups, including the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) and the CAIR Legal Defense Fund, had challenged the order in court last December. They argued it violated free speech protections and targeted organisations based on political differences.
Judge Walker's decision stated that the Governor could not use his office to suppress political views he disagreed with. The ruling emphasised that public officials cannot punish groups simply for holding opposing positions.
Arthur Ago, director of strategic litigation at the SPLC, welcomed the injunction. He criticised the original order as an attempt to intimidate and silence organisations with differing political stances. The SPLC and CAIR had filed the lawsuit shortly after Ron DeSantis issued the executive order, calling it an overreach of power.
Meanwhile, Florida lawmakers have advanced a separate bill allowing state officials to designate non-profits as terrorist-linked. Both the House and Senate approved the measure, which critics say could further restrict civil society groups. The SPLC has already announced plans to challenge this bill alongside CAIR.
Under Ron DeSantis, Florida has previously passed laws targeting pro-Palestinian groups, such as HB 269 in late 2023. That legislation led to crackdowns on campus activities tied to organisations like National Students for Justice in Palestine. However, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) has not formally classified religious or civil society groups as terrorist entities in the past.
The state government retains the option to appeal Judge Walker's injunction, meaning the legal battle may continue.
The injunction prevents Ron DeSantis' order from taking effect for now. CAIR and allied groups can continue operating in Florida without the terrorist designation. The ruling also sets a precedent for future challenges against similar state actions targeting non-profits.
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