Federal Judge Blocks Florida’s Move to Label CAIR a Terrorist Group

Federal Judge Blocks Florida’s Move to Label CAIR a Terrorist Group
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A federal judge has ruled that Florida’s attempt to declare the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) a foreign terrorist organization was unconstitutional, The New York Times reported.

Judge Mark E. Walker of the Federal District Court in Tallahassee said Gov. Ron DeSantis violated the First Amendment, including rights to free speech, petition, and association, by attempting to withhold government benefits from CAIR or anyone providing it support.

The ruling followed DeSantis’s December executive order, modeled after a similar Texas declaration, which labeled CAIR a terrorist group. CAIR sued a week later, seeking a preliminary injunction. The judge cited an example where CAIR’s free speech was curtailed after an audio production company canceled a podcast due to the executive order.

“No governor has the right to violate the Constitution by unilaterally declaring an American organization whose speech he dislikes a ‘terrorist’ group,” said CAIR officials Lena Masri and Hiba Rahim.

Judge Walker noted that the order lacked legislative input, judicial review, or explanation of authority. Florida lawmakers are now considering bills to establish a formal process for terrorist designations, though the ACLU has warned such measures could also violate constitutional rights.