Texas and Florida have taken bold steps by designating the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as terrorist organizations. These significant actions underscore concerns over alleged connections to Hamas and other covert Islamic networks.
On November 18, 2025, Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued Executive Proclamation GP-58, labeling both MB and CAIR as foreign terrorist organizations under Texas law. Abbott referred to CAIR as a “successor” to the Brotherhood. In response, CAIR-Texas filed a lawsuit against Abbott and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, claiming their rights under the First, Fifth, and Fourteenth Amendments were violated.
Shortly after, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a similar executive order on December 9, 2025, also designating MB and CAIR as terrorist entities. DeSantis cited the need to protect the public from groups linked to Hamas and encouraged citizens to sue to reveal any ties to terrorism. CAIR-Florida announced intentions to challenge DeSantis’s order, dismissively calling it an unconstitutional political maneuver.
The Muslim Brotherhood, founded in 1928 by Hassan al-Banna in Egypt, advocates for the implementation of Sharia law through political and social means. Its Palestinian branch, Hamas, has been recognized as a terrorist organization by the U.S. since 1997. Other nations, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, have also designated the Brotherhood as a terrorist organization. Meanwhile, countries like Germany, France, and Britain share concerns but have not taken concrete steps toward banning it.
On November 24, 2025, former President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order targeting specific MB chapters in Lebanon, Jordan, and Egypt, designating them as Foreign Terrorist Organizations. This order initiated a process to consider whether more chapters should face similar consequences—a federal effort aimed at tightening restrictions on these groups.
Notably, no official MB branch currently operates within the U.S. However, a landmark trial in 2007–2008 known as the Holy Land Foundation trial revealed alleged networks dating back to the 1960s. A 1991 memorandum from the Brotherhood outlined a strategy, termed the “Civilization-Jihadist Process,” aimed at undermining Western societies and establishing Islamic governance. It named 29 affiliated groups, including organizations like the Muslim Students Association and the Islamic Society of North America, which have historical connections to Hamas support.
CAIR, established in 1994, has been active in Texas and Florida for 24 years. Its declared mission is to promote Islam. However, after the Holy Land Foundation trial, the FBI named CAIR as an unindicted co-conspirator, identifying links between its founders and Hamas support networks. Despite this, successive administrations under both Bush and Obama chose not to pursue charges against CAIR leaders. In 2014, the UAE classified CAIR as a terrorist organization.
The push for MB and CAIR’s designation as terrorist entities has been part of ongoing political efforts. Senator Ted Cruz has repeatedly advocated for such designations. More recently, legislators in Florida, including Reps. Mario Díaz-Balart and Jared Moskowitz, reintroduced bills targeting CAIR, furthering the momentum against the organization.
The implications of these state-level designations are significant. They effectively categorize MB and CAIR as criminal entities, facilitating asset freezes and allowing for more vigorous prosecutions. In Florida, the executive order permits subpoenas for CAIR’s financial documents, a measure aimed at scrutinizing funding sources and possible terrorist connections.
These legal battles will likely test the extent of state power regarding federal terrorism policies. As calls increase for other Republican-led states, including Alabama and Georgia, to adopt similar measures, the actions taken by Texas and Florida could pave the way for a nationwide effort to confront perceived Islamic networks.
As the debate intensifies over the designations of MB and CAIR, the legal landscape is shifting. Governors Abbott and DeSantis are steering their states firm against organizations they believe pose a threat, while federal oversight continues to evolve. The outcomes of these initiatives may very well influence similar strategies across the country, reflecting a broader response to longstanding concerns about Islamic radicalization.
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