12/16/25 Reposted from flvoicenews.com
WASHINGTON – The Southern Poverty Law Center, or SPLC, and the Muslim Legal Fund of America, or MLFA, have joined the Council on American-Islamic Relations, or CAIR, and others in filing a federal lawsuit against Gov. Ron DeSantis over an executive order targeting the Muslim civil rights organization.
The lawsuit, filed in the Northern District of Florida, challenges Executive Order 25-244, which designates CAIR, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, as a “terrorist organization.” The plaintiffs argue the order is “blatantly unconstitutional” and exceeds the governor’s legal authority.
The legal challenge was announced by the CAIR Legal Defense Fund, MLFA, the SPLC, and the law firm Akeel & Valentine.
Issued by DeSantis last week, the order directs Florida executive and cabinet agencies, counties, and municipalities to deny local or state funding, contracts, employment, and privileges to CAIR and anyone providing “material support,” including “expert advice or assistance.”
It also mandates unspecified “measures” against CAIR by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Florida Highway Patrol.
The lawsuit contends that the governor violated key provisions of the U.S. Constitution, according to CAIR:
- Usurpation of authority: DeSantis illegally usurped the exclusive authority of the federal government to designate American organizations as terrorist groups.
- Due process: The order violates the guarantee of due process by imposing immediate, punitive action against CAIR and its supporters without any chance for appeal.
- Free speech: The action infringes upon free speech by punishing Americans who provide support, advice, or assistance to CAIR, and by retaliating against the group for its activism, including its support for Palestinian human rights.
Attorneys involved in the case issued sharp statements against the governor’s action.
- SPLC Legal Director Arthur Ago called the order a “clear attempt to portray American Muslims as threats” and vowed to fight the “baseless culture of fear of Muslims.”
- MLFA Legal Director Marium Uddin stated the organization is confronting “another rogue governor’s lawless attempt to silence CAIR.”
- CAIR Litigation Director Lena Masri stressed that “No politician has the right to shred the Constitution or upend our entire legal system by unilaterally declaring an American organization he dislikes a criminal actor.”
The lawsuit proceeds despite recent public comments from DeSantis, who previously welcomed a legal fight, stating it would grant the state discovery rights to scrutinize CAIR’s finances and alleged ties.
CAIR and CAIR-Florida said they are taking legal action to remind DeSantis “that he is the governor of Florida, not the king of Florida.”
A press conference hosted by CAIR-Florida is scheduled for Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. ET in Tampa.
DeSantis and Attorney General James Uthmeier have previously welcomed a courtroom showdown, viewing the lawsuit as an opportunity for the state to conduct broad discovery into the group’s finances and alleged ties.
- DeSantis said he “welcomes the lawsuit” and that it will give the state “discovery rights to be able to subpoena the bank records.” He also noted that the designation was “a long time coming”. DeSantis has said that CAIR was an “unindicted co-conspirator” in the 2008 Holy Land Foundation trial.
- Uthmeier previously vowed to defend the order in court, stating that the state would challenge CAIR’s activities. Uthmeier also posted on X, “Great news! Thanks for this important Executive Order, Governor. We are ready to support!.”
- DeSantis said he expects state lawmakers to push “follow-on legislation” on the issue during the regular session that starts in January.
