Federal Judge Blocks Florida Governor's Terrorist Label on Muslim Groups

The judge ruled the governor's executive order violates the First Amendment rights of the targeted organizations.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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A federal judge has temporarily blocked the enforcement of an executive order issued by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis that designated two Muslim civil rights groups, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Muslim Brotherhood, as foreign terrorist organizations. The judge ruled that the governor's order is unconstitutional and violates the First Amendment rights of the targeted groups.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing tensions between Muslim civil rights groups and some political leaders who have sought to label them as terrorist organizations, despite a lack of evidence. The judge's ruling is seen as an important check on the governor's power to unilaterally designate groups as terrorists, which could have serious consequences for their ability to operate and receive funding.

The details

In his preliminary injunction, U.S. District Judge Mark E. Walker wrote that the First Amendment bars the governor from using his executive office to make a political statement at the expense of others' constitutional rights. The lawsuit, filed by CAIR and other civil rights groups, claimed the executive order was unlawful and unconstitutional, as the federal government holds the exclusive authority to identify and designate terrorist organizations.

  • The executive order was issued by Governor DeSantis in 2025.
  • The federal lawsuit was filed by CAIR in December 2025.
  • The judge issued the preliminary injunction blocking the order's enforcement on March 5, 2026.

The players

Ron DeSantis

The Republican governor of Florida who issued the executive order designating the Muslim groups as foreign terrorist organizations.

Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)

A prominent Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization that sued the governor over the executive order.

Muslim Brotherhood

A pan-Arab Islamist political movement that was also designated as a foreign terrorist organization in the governor's executive order.

Mark E. Walker

The U.S. District Judge who issued the preliminary injunction blocking the enforcement of the governor's executive order.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Judge Mark E. Walker, U.S. District Judge

What’s next

The preliminary injunction will remain in place while the lawsuit challenging the executive order moves forward in the courts.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between Muslim civil rights groups and some political leaders who seek to label them as terrorist organizations, despite a lack of evidence. The judge's ruling is seen as an important check on the governor's power to unilaterally designate groups as terrorists, which could have serious consequences for their ability to operate and receive funding.