Texas and Florida Designate Muslim Rights Group as Terrorist Organization

In mid-November, Texas Governor Greg Abbott designated both the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Muslim Brotherhood as foreign terrorist organizations, stating they are “not welcome in our state and are now prohibited from acquiring any real property interest in Texas.” Then earlier this month Florida Governor Ron DeSantis also designated CAIR as a foreign terrorist organization. In between the two state announcements, President Trump issued an executive order that “sets in motion a process by which certain chapters or other subdivisions of the Muslim Brotherhood shall be considered for designation as Foreign Terrorist Organizations” but that did not mention CAIR.

According to its website, ” CAIR’s mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.” CAIR responded strongly to the designations, including filing (for Texas) and announcing plans to file (for Florida) federal lawsuits challenging them and sending a letter to the U.S. Treasury Department in response to a letter from the Texas Governor to Treasury based on the Texas designation.