Ron DeSantis names CAIR a domestic terrorist group under new law
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced on July 1, 2026, that he intends to designate the Council on American-Islamic Relations as a domestic terrorist organization under HB 1471, a new state law that took effect the same day. The move would block public funds and contracts for listed groups and still requires Florida Cabinet approval.
Key Takeaways
- DeSantis announced intent to designate CAIR on July 1 under HB 1471, alongside Antifa and more than 90 other groups.
- Listed organizations would lose public funding and contracts; college students who support them could face expulsion.
- CAIR filed a federal lawsuit with the ACLU and SPLC, calling the designation baseless and unconstitutional.
- Designations still need ratification from the Republican-controlled Florida Cabinet, possibly in an emergency meeting.
- The law follows a December executive order that a federal judge blocked earlier in 2026.
Why Did Ron DeSantis Target CAIR Under Florida's New Law?
On the first day HB 1471 took effect, DeSantis said he intends to add CAIR—the nation's largest Islamic civil rights and advocacy group—to Florida's domestic terrorist list. He also named Antifa and more than 90 groups ranging from Mexican drug cartels to federally designated foreign terrorist organizations, including the Sinaloa Cartel and Tren de Aragua.
According to Florida Phoenix, the July 1 announcement formalizes recommendations under the law DeSantis signed in April after lawmakers approved it during the 2026 session. The governor said the legislature responded with permanent statutory tools to combat terrorism while defending constitutional rights.
DeSantis had previously tried a similar move through a December executive order, but a federal judge blocked that order earlier in 2026. HB 1471 creates a formal state process for terrorism designations that previously fell primarily to federal authorities.
What Powers Does HB 1471 Give Florida Officials?
The law empowers state leaders to label groups as domestic or foreign terrorist organizations. Groups on the list cannot receive state or local government funding, contracts, or other public benefits. Supporters tied to designated organizations face similar restrictions.
DeSantis warned the label would ripple through education. College students who promote designated groups at Florida public institutions could face immediate expulsion. The state argues the designations protect residents, while critics say the law chills free speech on campuses.
Before designations take effect, the Florida Cabinet must ratify them. DeSantis indicated he could call an emergency cabinet meeting to move quickly on his recommendations.
How Is CAIR Fighting Back in Court?
Hours after the announcement, CAIR and CAIR-Florida filed a federal lawsuit challenging the designation. Partners include the American Civil Liberties Union and the Southern Poverty Law Center, which called the law baseless in reporting from Middle East Eye.
CAIR-Florida interim director Hiba Rahim told Spectrum Bay News 9 that students will self-censor, fearing scholarships could be cut if they speak freely. The suit argues the designation regime lacks meaningful notice, evidentiary standards, and hearings before a neutral decisionmaker.
CAIR is seeking an emergency injunction to halt enforcement of HB 1471. The group says it has never been convicted of a crime and that its advocacy is constitutionally protected speech.
What Happens Next for the Terrorism Designations?
The Republican-controlled Florida Cabinet must approve DeSantis's recommended list before penalties take hold. If ratified, designated groups lose access to public contracts, state funding, and campus support networks statewide.
The federal case will test whether a state can brand a major civil rights nonprofit a terrorist organization without federal charges or convictions. CAIR warns the label would be debilitating and force self-censorship across Florida universities.
The dispute unfolds alongside other hardline state policies, including a new rule barring undocumented students from public colleges. For broader coverage of how state power and technology reshape civil liberties, see our Future Tech & AI Wonders section.