Federal Judge Blocks Florida Governor's Muslim Groups Terror Label

DeSantis' executive order targeting CAIR and Muslim Brotherhood is temporarily halted

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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A federal judge has temporarily blocked the enforcement of a 2025 executive order by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis that designated two Muslim 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.

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 ruling is a victory for free speech and religious freedom protections in the face of growing Islamophobia.

The details

U.S. District Judge Mark E. Walker issued a preliminary injunction, stating that the governor's order was an unlawful attempt to make a political statement at the expense of others' constitutional rights. CAIR and other civil rights groups had sued DeSantis, arguing the order was unconstitutional and that the governor had overstepped his authority by designating the groups as terrorists.

  • On December 2025, CAIR and other groups filed a lawsuit against DeSantis' executive order.
  • On March 5, 2026, the federal judge issued the preliminary injunction blocking the enforcement of the order.

The players

Ron DeSantis

The governor of Florida who issued the executive order designating CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood as foreign terrorist organizations.

Mark E. Walker

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

Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)

A Muslim civil rights and advocacy group that sued DeSantis over his executive order, arguing it was unconstitutional.

Muslim Brotherhood

A pan-Arab conservative political movement that was also designated as a terrorist organization by DeSantis' executive order.

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What’s next

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

The takeaway

This case underscores the ongoing battle over the rights of Muslim civil liberties groups and the persistent Islamophobia that has permeated the political landscape since 9/11. The federal judge's ruling is a victory for upholding constitutional protections and preventing the misuse of executive power to target minority communities.