CAIR Florida to sue after DeSantis designates group a terrorist organization
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
The Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) says it plans to take Gov. Ron DeSantis to court after the Republican governor issued an executive order labeling the Muslim civil rights organization a “foreign terrorist organization.”
Hiba Rahim, the department’s deputy director general, said at a news conference that the order was an attack based on conspiracy theories and compared it to historic efforts targeting Jewish, Irish and Italian American communities.
“We are very proud to defend the founding principles of our Constitution and freedom of expression,” Rahim said at a press conference. he said. “We are proud to defend democracy, and we are proud to be America’s first.”
Rahim argued that the governor’s support for Israel played a role in the order, saying the group’s activism caused “inconvenience” for the U.S. ally. He said CAIR has no intention of backing down.
DESANTIS SAID FLORIDA RECOGNIZED THE MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD AND CAIR AS FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis called CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood “foreign terrorist organizations.” (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)
Meanwhile, Governor DeSantis defended the move, saying his administration had sufficient justification for this appointment. He told reporters on Tuesday that he welcomed CAIR’s legal challenge and described the appointment as “a long time coming.”
DeSantis’ order also lists the Muslim Brotherhood as a “foreign terrorist” organization. Last month, President Donald Trump issued an executive order to begin a federal process to designate certain branches of the Muslim Brotherhood as foreign terrorist organizations.
The governor called the executive order a “start,” saying he expects Florida lawmakers to pursue relevant legislation when the legislature reconvenes in January.
TRUMP SIGNS THAT HE PLANS TO DETERMINE THE MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD AS A TERRORIST ORGANIZATION
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he welcomed CAIR’s lawsuit. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Under DeSantis’ directive, government agencies are prohibited from providing contracts, employment or funding to CAIR, the Muslim Brotherhood or any group deemed to financially support them.
At a news conference in Tampa, attorney Miranda Margolis criticized the decision and argued that DeSantis overstepped his authority by unilaterally designating a nonprofit organization as a terrorist organization.
“This appointment has no legal or factual basis and constitutes a dangerous escalation of anti-Muslim political rhetoric,” Margolis said. he said.
Florida’s action comes after Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a similar statement. CAIR challenged Abbott’s appointment in federal court, arguing it violated the U.S. Constitution and Texas law. Muslim and interfaith organizations have called on Abbott to rescind the order.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a statement describing CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood as “foreign terrorist organizations.” (Getty Images)
State-level designations do not carry the same legal weight as federal Foreign Terrorist Organization classifications, which can only be issued by the U.S. State Department.
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FOX NEWS APPLICATION
CAIR argues that Florida’s order violates First Amendment rights and due process protections and that definitions of terrorism fall under federal, not state, jurisdiction.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
