The State of Florida in the United States has officially labeled the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as terrorist organizations.
Governor Ron DeSantis made the announcement on December 8, 2025, while signing Executive Order 25-244. The order instructs Florida agencies to take “all lawful measures” to block what the state describes as illegal activities by the groups. It also prohibits providing state contracts, employment, funding, or other benefits to anyone who supports them materially.
Sharing the executive order on social media, DeSantis stated that the Muslim Brotherhood, its chapters, and CAIR are considered foreign terrorist and transnational criminal organizations under this directive.
“The Muslim Brotherhood, its branches, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, and any other group designated by the US Government as a Foreign Terrorist Organization under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act are hereby recognized as terrorist entities for the purposes of this Executive Order,” the document reads.
The order cited several reasons for the designation, including the Muslim Brotherhood’s jihadist ideology, links to Hamas, attacks on Israel, and connections to CAIR. It also referenced CAIR’s alleged financing of terrorism in the US and convictions of some of its members for supporting terrorist activities.
DeSantis emphasized that state agencies are to prevent any unlawful actions by these organizations and deny privileges or resources to those who provide them with support.
In response, CAIR and its Florida chapter said in an emailed statement to ABC that they plan to challenge the designation in court, calling it “unconstitutional” and “defamatory.”
It’s important to note that neither CAIR nor the Muslim Brotherhood is currently listed as a foreign terrorist organization by the US federal government. However, former President Donald Trump initiated a process to designate Muslim Brotherhood branches in Egypt, Lebanon, and Jordan as terrorist organizations, citing alleged ties to Hamas.
Founded in 1994, CAIR has 25 chapters across the United States. Last month, CAIR filed a lawsuit seeking to overturn a similar proclamation by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, arguing that it violated the US Constitution and had no basis in Texas law.
The Muslim Brotherhood, which originated in Egypt nearly a century ago, has branches worldwide. While its leaders claim to have renounced violence and aim to achieve Islamic governance through elections and peaceful means, critics—particularly authoritarian governments in the Middle East—view it as a threat.
