What does Florida’s designation of the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization mean?
The firm actions taken by the United States against the Muslim Brotherhood reflect Washington’s concern over the group’s efforts to infiltrate civil and political institutions.
On Tuesday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced that he had signed an executive order designating the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as foreign terrorist organizations.
The order states that the Muslim Brotherhood has long been involved in acts of violence and has supported political assassinations and terrorist attacks against civilians in pursuit of a global Islamic caliphate.
It also notes that the group, along with Hamas, maintains active fundraising networks in the United States.
With this decision, DeSantis follows the lead of another Republican governor, Greg Abbott of Texas, who issued a similar declaration last month.
Florida’s order asserts that CAIR “was founded by individuals connected to the Muslim Brotherhood.”
The order also links the Brotherhood to Hamas, which the US federal government has designated as a terrorist organization.
The Trump administration had previously raised the possibility of giving the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR a similar classification at the federal level.
What does the Florida decision entail?
The Florida order instructs state agencies to bar CAIR, the Muslim Brotherhood, and any individual identified as having “provided material support or resources” to them from receiving contracts, employment, public funds, or any other state benefit or privilege.
It also authorizes the State Homeland Security Council — composed of agency heads — to review existing authorities, regulations, and policies to “address the threats” posed by these organizations, and to recommend further action if needed.
In a post on X, DeSantis wrote: “Under this order, Florida agencies must take all lawful measures to prevent illegal activities by these organizations, including denying privileges or resources to anyone providing them with material support.”
In reaction, Florida Attorney General James Othmayer wrote on X: “Great news. Thank you, Governor, for this important executive order. We stand ready to support it.”
Trump’s order
Last month, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order initiating procedures to classify certain branches of the Muslim Brotherhood as “foreign terrorist organizations.”
The order states: “This order initiates a process by which certain branches or sub-divisions of the Muslim Brotherhood will be designated as foreign terrorist organizations,” specifically referencing the movement’s branches in Lebanon, Egypt, and Jordan.
It further indicates that those branches “commit, facilitate, or support violence and destabilization campaigns that harm their regions, United States citizens, and US interests.”
