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The Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said it plans to bring the governor to power. Ron DeSantis to court after the Republican governor issued an executive order calling the Muslim civil rights organization a “foreign terrorist organization.”
Hiba Rahim, the department's deputy executive director, said during a news conference that the order constitutes an attack based on conspiracy theories and compared it to historic efforts targeting Jewish, Irish and Italian-American communities.
“We are very proud to defend the fundamental principles of our Constitution, to defend freedom of speech,” Rahim said at a press conference. “We are proud to defend democracy, and we are proud to put America first.”
Rahim said the governor's support for Israel played a role in the order, saying the group's activity caused “discomfort” for the American ally. She said CAIR has no intention of backing down.
FLORIDA DESIGNATES MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD AND CAIR FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS, DESANTIS SAYS
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has called CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood “foreign terrorist organizations.” (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)
Meanwhile, Governor DeSantis supported the move, saying his administration has ample justification for the appointment. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, he said he welcomed CAIR's legal action and described the appointment as “a long time coming.”
DeSantis' order also designates the Muslim Brotherhood as a “foreign terrorist” organization. Last month the President Donald Trump issued an executive order to begin a federal process to consider designating certain branches of the Muslim Brotherhood as a foreign terrorist organization.
The governor said he expects Florida lawmakers to push for legislation when the Legislature reconvenes in January, calling the order a “start.”
TRUMP SIGNALS PLAN TO RECOGNIZE MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD AS A TERRORIST ORGANIZATION
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he welcomes CAIR's lawsuit. (Joe Radle/Getty Images)
Under DeSantis' directive, government agencies are prohibited from awarding contracts to, hiring or providing funds to CAIR, the Muslim Brotherhood or any groups believed to have provided them with material support.
At a news conference in Tampa, attorney Miranda Margolis criticized the order and said DeSantis exceeded his authority by unilaterally designating the nonprofit as a terrorist organization.
“This determination has no legal or factual basis and represents a dangerous escalation of anti-Muslim political rhetoric,” Margolis said.
Florida's action comes after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a similar statement. CAIR challenged Abbott's appointment in federal court, arguing it violated the U.S. Constitution and Texas law. Muslim and interfaith organizations called Abbott to rescind the order.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued an executive order designating CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood as “foreign terrorist organizations.” (Getty Images)
State-level designations do not carry the same legal weight as federal foreign terrorist organization designations, which can only be issued by the U.S. State Department.
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CAIR argues that Florida's order violates its First Amendment rights and due process protections, and that the definition of terrorism falls under federal rather than state jurisdiction.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
