Judge Halts Florida Governor’s Terrorist Designation of Muslim Organizations

A federal judge has temporarily stopped enforcement of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' executive order labeling two Muslim groups as terrorist organizations. The ruling protects the Council on American-Islamic Relations and the Muslim Brotherhood while a constitutional lawsuit proceeds.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A federal court has temporarily halted enforcement of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ controversial executive order from last year that classified two Muslim organizations as foreign terrorist groups.

U.S. District Judge Mark E. Walker issued a preliminary injunction on Wednesday, stating in his ruling that the First Amendment prevents the governor from continuing what he called a concerning pattern of exploiting executive power to make political statements while violating others’ constitutional protections.

DeSantis’ directive specifically named the Council on American-Islamic Relations and the Muslim Brotherhood as targets. The governor’s office had not responded to requests for comment by Wednesday evening regarding the court’s decision.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations, along with additional civil rights organizations, filed suit against DeSantis in December following the executive order’s release. The organization operates more than 20 chapters nationwide and focuses on legal advocacy, public policy work, and educational initiatives. Their legal challenge argues the executive order violates the law and constitution, particularly claiming DeSantis overstepped by assuming federal government authority reserved for identifying terrorist organizations.

The court’s injunction suspends the executive order’s implementation during ongoing litigation proceedings.

“The question before this Court is whether the Governor can, in a non-emergency situation, unilaterally designate one of the largest Muslim civil rights groups in America as a ‘terrorist organization’ and withhold government benefits from anyone providing material support or resources to the group,” Walker wrote.

Discrimination against Muslims has continued in various forms since the September 11, 2001 attacks, with increased anti-Islamic sentiment observed during the ongoing Gaza conflict spanning more than two years.

In their Florida legal filing, the Council on American-Islamic Relations emphasized their consistent opposition to terrorism and violence. The lawsuit contends DeSantis singled out the organization for protecting free speech rights in situations where state and other officials attempted to penalize or silence individuals expressing support for Palestinian human rights.

DeSantis’ order also applied the terrorist designation to the Muslim Brotherhood, described as a pan-Arab Islamic political organization. President Donald Trump recently issued an executive order in January identifying three Middle Eastern Muslim Brotherhood affiliates as terrorist groups.

The Florida governor’s directive orders state agencies to bar both organizations and their supporters from obtaining government contracts, employment opportunities, and funding from executive or cabinet-level departments.

According to the Council on American-Islamic Relations, approximately 500,000 Muslims live in Florida.