CAIR sues Florida Gov. DeSantis over new ‘terrorist’ designation

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – After being labeled a “foreign terrorist organization” (FTO), the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) on Monday filed a lawsuit against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Per its website, CAIR touts itself as a “Washington-based Islamic advocacy group” dedicated to protecting the civil rights of Muslim Americans.

However, an executive order signed by DeSantis says that individuals associated with CAIR have been convicted of providing and conspiring to provide “material support to designated terrorist organizations.”

As such, both CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood were deemed to be FTOs.

“Florida agencies are hereby directed to undertake all lawful measures to prevent unlawful activities by these organizations, including denying privileges or resources to anyone providing material support,” DeSantis wrote.

In response, CAIR’s latest lawsuit argues that DeSantis violated both the U.S. and Florida Constitutions, as well as other federal and state laws.

The lawsuit also claims that DeSantis’ order was issued amid CAIR’s attempts to oppose motions in the state that “sought to suppress speech supporting Palestinian human rights and Muslim civic participation.”

“He has usurped the exclusive authority of the federal government to identify and designate terrorist organizations by baselessly declaring CAIR a terrorist organization,” the lawsuit reads. “He has violated the Constitution’s guarantee of due process by unilaterally declaring CAIR a terrorist organization and then ordering immediate punitive, discriminatory action against CAIR and its supporters.”

Furthermore, CAIR’s lawsuit points to a statement by DeSantis shortly after the organization announced they would sue him.

“DeSantis then stated publicly that he welcomed litigation because it would provide an opportunity to obtain CAIR’s financial records and internal information through discovery,” the lawsuit continues. “These contemporaneous statements confirm that the Executive Order was intended to burden and deter Plaintiffs’ advocacy rather than to serve any legitimate state interest.”

As such, CAIR is now accusing DeSantis of issuing an illicit executive order, as well as viewpoint discrimination and 14th Amendment violations.

Now, CAIR is pushing for a judge to declare DeSantis’ order as unlawful, though the group isn’t seeking any money damages.

You can read through the full lawsuit below: