On November 4, Chief U.S. District Judge Allen C. Winsor ruled that the federal court would not block Florida’s domestic‑terrorist designations of the Council on American‑Islamic Relations (CAIR) and its state chapter. The judge found CAIR had not met the burden required for most of the preliminary injunction it sought, leaving the designations in place.
Florida’s Designation Process
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) and the state Cabinet approved the designations on September 29 under House Bills 1471 and 1473, which give officials authority to label qualifying domestic organizations as terrorist and impose penalties for knowing material support. The law became effective July 1, and the CAIR designations took effect November 5.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) announced the move on X, calling it “the right call for the safety of Floridians.” FDLE noted that the court’s order affirmed the designations, though the judge’s decision focused only on the lawsuit filed by CAIR and CAIR‑Florida, not on the merits of the designations against the Muslim Brotherhood or Antifa.
Judicial Findings
Judge Winsor determined that Florida officials had properly notified CAIR of the proposed designations on September 18. Although CAIR submitted written objections, it did not pursue the 30‑day state‑court challenge available after the designations were published on October 6. The judge emphasized the importance of that avenue for due‑process review.
While the court barred Florida from enforcing its material‑support restriction against CAIR for providing legal services, it conditioned a narrow injunction on CAIR posting a $1,000 bond. All other constitutional claims remain unresolved.
CAIR’s Response
CAIR and its Florida chapter announced they would appeal the ruling and suspend operations in the state. “CAIR‑Florida categorically rejects Florida officials’ baseless designation of us,” said Executive Director Hiba Rahim in an ACLU‑released statement.
Parallel Texas Litigation
In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott (R) designated CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood as foreign terrorist and transnational criminal organizations on November 18, 2025, invoking state restrictions that prohibit the groups from acquiring Texas real property. The Texas designations differ from Florida’s domestic‑terrorism framework.
Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit in February 2026 against CAIR, the Muslim Brotherhood, and CAIR’s Austin, Houston, and Dallas‑Fort Worth chapters, seeking to halt their operations in the Lone Star State. Paxton’s filing cites CAIR’s alleged role as an unindicted co‑conspirator in the Holy Land Foundation terrorism‑financing case.
Local reporting by The Dallas Express noted that CAIR Action, a political‑advocacy affiliate, issued 369 positive candidate recommendations in Texas ahead of the November 3 election, including 59 full endorsements and 306 preferred selections. The group declined to release internal questionnaires or its Texas operating budget, asserting separate boards and programs from CAIR.
What’s Next
The Florida court has set a deadline of November 18 for the parties to submit a joint litigation plan, leaving the underlying constitutional dispute unsettled. Meanwhile, the Texas lawsuit continues to place CAIR’s North Texas presence in a broader legal battle over the organization’s status.
Both state actions reflect a growing willingness among Republican leaders to use state authority to address groups they view as threats to public safety, aligning with the administration’s broader focus on protecting communities from extremist influences.
Original reporting: The Dallas Express — read the source article.
