TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida today granted a request for a preliminary injunction blocking enforcement of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ “blatantly unconstitutional” executive order targeting the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the United States’ largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, and its Florida chapter, CAIR Florida. On Dec. 15, 2025, the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), CAIR Legal Defense Fund, the Muslim Legal Fund of America (MLFA) and Akeel & Valentine filed a lawsuit on behalf of CAIR and CAIR Florida alleging that DeSantis had violated the Constitution of the United States.
In a blow to DeSantis’ efforts to silence Muslim advocacy and punish constitutionally protected speech, the court temporarily halted the enforcement of Executive Order 25-244, which unilaterally branded CAIR a “terrorist organization.” The order additionally stripped CAIR — and those associated with the group — of state and local contacts, employment opportunities, funding and other public benefits. The court also blocked provisions directing the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Florida Highway Patrol to pursue unspecified “measures” against CAIR.
“Today’s ruling is a decisive victory for the Constitution and for the principle that no governor can place themselves above the law,” said Scott McCoy, deputy legal director, SPLC. “Gov. DeSantis attempted to wield the power of his office to smear a civil rights organization, silence its advocacy and intimidate those who support it. The court rightly rejected that abuse of power. This executive order was never about public safety — it was about targeting a Muslim organization for its speech and its advocacy. The court’s ruling makes clear that the Constitution does not allow elected officials to punish organizations or individuals simply because they disagree with their views.”
The injunction preserves CAIR’s ability to continue its civil rights, advocacy and community work without fear of unlawful government retaliation while the lawsuit plays out.
The injunction order can be viewed here.
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