Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced the decision to designate more than 90 groups as terrorist organizations under a newly enacted law in the state, including the Muslim civil rights group CAIR, the Muslim Brotherhood, and Antifa. However, the formalization of this step requires the approval of the Florida Cabinet.
What Does the Law Bring?
Signed earlier this year and taking effect on Wednesday, HB 1471 grants Florida's Internal Homeland Security Chief the authority to designate domestic or foreign terrorist organizations. The Governor and Cabinet can approve or reject these designations by majority vote.
The law also mandates cutting public support and taxpayer funds to designated groups, imposing criminal sanctions on those providing material support, and ensuring that foreign or religious legal rules cannot override the U.S. or Florida Constitution in state courts.
Targeted Groups
According to DeSantis's announcement, the list includes the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the Sinaloa Cartel, the Tren de Aragua gang, as well as CAIR, the Muslim Brotherhood, and Antifa. The full list of more than 90 designated groups has not yet been disclosed.
Reactions and Legal Process
CAIR announced it would launch a legal battle, arguing that the decision is "biased." The organization stated, "CAIR has worked to protect constitutional guarantees such as freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and equality before the law."
Hina Shamsi, Director of the ACLU National Security Project, said the designation is "detached from reality and dangerous," adding, "Our clients' speech and advocacy activities are protected by the First Amendment."
Florida Internal Homeland Security Commissioner Mark Glass stated, "Keeping our community safe begins with recognizing the threat first."
If approved, the list, which will be valid under Florida law, will have a different status from the U.S. State Department's foreign terrorist organization lists.
