CAIR responds to Ron DeSantis terrorist | Political News

Ron DeSantis announced on Monday that he has designated the Council on American-Islamic Relations and the Muslim Brotherhood as “foreign terrorist organizations.”

The Florida governor shared his signed govt order on X, saying that the designations would take impact immediately. “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.”

In response, CAIR told The Express that DeSantis does “not have the constitutional authority to unilaterally declare any Americans or American institutions foreign terrorist groups,” nor “is there any basis to level this smear against our organization.”

CAIR despatched a letter to DeSantis’s workplace, confirming that the group had deliberate a lawsuit. The letter reads, in half: “With 25 chapters, dozens of attorneys, and support from thousands of donors across America, CAIR has advanced free speech, religious freedom, and racial equality. In 2024, CAIR won a historic 9-0 Supreme Court ruling that protects the rights of all Americans.

“CAIR also speaks out against injustice right here and overseas, from hate crimes to terrorism to ethnic cleaning to genocide. In fact, CAIR spoke up against ISIS terrorism so often that the group called for the assassination of our national govt director.”

The group also accused DeSantis of targeting Americans who are critical of Israel, writing, “The real motive anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian politicians obsessively goal CAIR and other American Muslim establishments is because of our steadfast advocacy for Palestinian rights.

“By now defaming CAIR-Florida with an unconstitutional proclamation and debunked conspiracy theories, you have once again shown that your top priority is protecting a foreign government, not serving the people of Florida.”

CAIR is a nonprofit group based in 1994 with the mission to advance the civil rights of American Muslims. Meanwhile, the Muslim Brotherhood is a Sunni Islamist motion that was based in Egypt practically a century in the past.

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DeSantis accused the group of supporting Hamas and Hezbollah in their assaults on Israel. Last month, President Donald Trump said the U.S. would look into whether or not to designate Muslim Brotherhood chapters in Egypt, Lebanon, and Jordan as overseas terrorist organizations.

He then gave Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent 30 days to submit a report, and 45 days after that to take motion.

In the chief order, DeSantis referenced Trump’s directive. However, the federal authorities hasn’t taken such actions against CAIR. The group has also been concerned in a feud with Texas Governor Greg Abbott after he banned members of CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood from buying or buying land in the state.

CAIR accused Abbott of “advancing anti-Muslim bigotry, not serving the people of Texas.” The group sued Abbott over his claims, saying CAIR would “not be intimidated by smear campaigns launched by politicians like Mr. Abbott.”