Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis labeled CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood as "foreign terrorist organizations." (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)
Governor DeSantis, meanwhile, defended the move, saying his administration had sufficient grounds for the designation. Speaking to reporters Tuesday, he said he welcomed CAIR’s legal challenge and described the designation as "a long time coming."
DeSantis’ order also lists the Muslim Brotherhood as a "foreign terrorist" organization. Last month, President Donald Trump issued an executive order to begin a federal process to consider designating certain chapters of the Muslim Brotherhood as a foreign terrorist organization.
The governor said he expects Florida lawmakers to pursue related legislation when the legislature reconvenes in January, calling the executive order "the beginning."
TRUMP SIGNALS PLAN TO DESIGNATE MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD A TERRORIST ORGANIZATION
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a proclamation 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 classifications, which can only be issued by the U.S. State Department.
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CAIR argues the Florida order violates its First Amendment rights and due-process protections and that terrorism designations fall under federal jurisdiction, not state power.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/floridas-cair-threatens-lawsuit-against-desantis-after-he-labels-group-foreign-terrorist-organization