Federal judge delivers huge legal blow to DeSantis, says the Florida governor ‘doesn’t have executive authority to make political statements’
Florida – A federal judge has stopped Florida’s governor from enforcing an executive order that branded a leading Muslim civil rights organization as a terrorist group, concluding that the move ran afoul of the Constitution’s protections for speech and association.
In a decision released Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Mark Walker blocked a December directive issued by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis that labeled the Council on American-Islamic Relations, widely known as CAIR, a “terrorist organization” for purposes of state policy. The order had instructed state agencies to cut off contracts, funding, employment opportunities and other benefits to the group.
Judge Walker determined that the governor’s action violated the First Amendment. In his written opinion, he said the Constitution does not permit a governor to use executive authority to make political statements in ways that burden protected rights. The ruling emphasized that speech and association cannot be curtailed through official labels that carry sweeping consequences.
“The question before this Court is whether the Governor can, in a non-emergency situation, unilaterally designate one of the largest Muslim civil rights groups in America as a ‘terrorist organization’ and withhold government benefits from anyone providing material support or resources to the group,” Walker wrote in his order. “This Court finds he cannot.”
The court found that the order reached beyond CAIR itself. According to the decision, the directive placed pressure on other organizations and individuals to distance themselves from the group or risk losing access to state resources. The judge wrote that such coercion effectively chills lawful expression by limiting the avenues through which people and groups may associate and advocate.
DeSantis signed the executive order on Dec. 8, 2025. It directed Florida agencies to designate CAIR, the Muslim Brotherhood and affiliated entities as terrorist organizations within the scope of state operations. State departments were instructed to take what the order described as “all lawful measures” to prevent the named groups from receiving public benefits or engaging with government offices.
The order asserted that CAIR had historical connections to organizations linked to the Muslim Brotherhood and referenced past federal terrorism cases involving related groups. However, Judge Walker’s ruling did not weigh in on those broader political or policy arguments. Instead, the opinion focused squarely on whether the governor’s action complied with constitutional guarantees.
In explaining his reasoning, Walker invoked the country’s early commitment to protecting religious minorities.
The opinion cited President George Washington’s 1790 letter to a Jewish congregation in Rhode Island, a document often referenced as an affirmation of religious liberty in the young republic. By drawing on that history, the judge underscored that safeguarding minority rights has long been understood as a foundational principle.
CAIR welcomed the decision. In a statement, executive director Nihad Awad described the ruling as a reaffirmation of civil liberties and said it demonstrated that constitutional protections remain in force. The organization had challenged the executive order in federal court, arguing that it was being singled out for its advocacy and religious identity.
“On behalf of the entire CAIR network, we thank our co-counsel, our partners, and our community for standing with us as we confronted and defeated Ron DeSantis’ attack on our civil rights organization,” Awad said in a statement.
“Amid widespread attempts by politicians to undermine our democracy, including attacks on free speech, religious freedom, immigrant rights, and due process, this federal court ruling serves as a reminder that the Constitution still matters.”
The governor has not retreated from his broader political stance. DeSantis continues to hold significant support among Florida voters. A recent poll conducted by the University of North Florida found that 52 percent of respondents approve of his performance, while 42 percent disapprove. The survey also showed him slightly ahead of President Donald Trump in statewide favorability among certain groups, including independents and Republicans.
For now, the court’s order halts enforcement of the designation against CAIR. The ruling sends a clear message that, whatever the political debate, executive power has limits when it comes to labeling organizations in ways that restrict speech and association.
