DeSantis Adds CAIR, Antifa and Other Groups to Florida Terror Designations

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced on July 1 that the state will designate CAIR, the Muslim Brotherhood, Antifa, and dozens of foreign organizations as terrorist groups under a new Florida law.

How The Media Covered It: As of July 2, Allsides had not seen much reporting on the story from major mainstream national outlets, with most coverage coming from Florida-based publications and opinion commentary. Where outlets did cover it, the split centered on whether DeSantis' move was a public safety measure, or an attack on Muslim Advocacy Groups and pro-Palestinian activism.

An Attack On Dissent: An opinion piece for MS NOW (Left) cast Desantis' designations as part of a broader pattern of anti-muslim and anti-left politics in Florida, rather than a traditional counterterrorism measure. The article emphasized "there is no proof supporting this designation" of CAIR and argued the move could threaten " those who stand in support of Muslims." The piece also presented Antifa's inclusion as part of a longer conservative fixation on left-wing protest movements, not as a genuine response to a clearly defined security threat.

A New Power Put To Immediate Use: Center coverage focused on how quickly DeSantis moved once the new law took effect, while also underscoring the legal questions surrounding the state's authority to make terrorist designations. The Tampa Bay Times (Center) noted that the bill became effective Wednesday and then, by that afternoon, DeSantis had already moved to designate CAIR, the Muslim Brotherhood, Antifa, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and groups tied to drug cartels. It also pointed out that this kind of designation power is "typically reserved for the federal government," while laying out critics' concerns that the law could be used to target pro-Palestinian campus activism and noting that a federal judge had already blocked DeSantis' earlier executive order against CAIR.

A Broader Push Against Counter Terror: Right-leaning coverage framed the announcement as the latest step in a larger state counterterrorism effort that DeSantis and Florida Republicans have been building for months. The Washington Examiner (Lean Right) emphasized DeSantis' announcement that "in addition to CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood, we are adding Antifa to the list—along with more than 90 foreign terrorist organizations, including cartels," and highlighted the law's enforcement mechanisms, including restrictions on taxpayer support, penalties tied to material support, and new powers aimed at organizations Florida officials say are linked to extremist activity. That coverage also situated the move within DeSantis' December executive order and similar action taken by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.

Key Details:

• House Bill 1471, signed in March and effective July 1, created a permanent framework for Florida to identify and designate domestic and foreign terrorist organizations.
• DeSantis previously moved against CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood in a December 2025 executive order, but a federal judge temporarily blocked that order in March.
• CAIR has challenged Florida's actions in court, arguing the state exceeded its constitutional authority.