Decoding the News: What Florida’s Terror Designation Means for Workers and Advocates

 

For workers and advocates focused on rights and justice, recent policy moves can have direct and indirect impacts. The announcement from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on December 9, 2025, designating the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR as terrorist organizations, is one such development. Understanding its mechanics is key for anyone engaged in civic advocacy.

First, the facts of the policy. This is a state-level action under Florida law. It was preceded by President Donald Trump’s executive order on November 4, 2025, which targeted affiliated groups at the federal level. The stated rationale, per the governor’s office, hinges on historical allegations. It is documented that Hamas, designated as a terrorist group by the U.S. since 1997, was founded in 1987 by figures connected to the Muslim Brotherhood. Subsequent U.S. government investigations have alleged some Brotherhood-linked charities financed Hamas.

The inclusion of CAIR, a prominent civil rights organization, is a major point of contention. While cited in past controversies and allegations from critics, CAIR has successfully operated across the U.S. for decades, engaging in advocacy, legal defense, and interfaith dialogue. They deny all allegations of wrongdoing.

What does this mean practically? For public sector workers and nonprofits in Florida, this designation affects state contracting and funding. A state agency cannot legally award a grant to a community group formally associated with a designated entity. For advocates, it creates a climate of caution. Partnering with or supporting the legal work of a group now labeled a “terrorist organization” by the state, even if disputed, could risk an organization’s own state funding or attract scrutiny.

This highlights a critical worker’s right: the right to associate and advocate freely without undue stigmatization. The United Nations Declaration of Human Rights and the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment protect freedom of association. Advocacy organizations play a vital role in holding power to account, from workplace safety to wage theft. When the legal status of an advocacy group is challenged through broad designations, it can have a chilling effect on the entire ecosystem of rights defense.

The core principle for workers and advocates is informed engagement. Understanding the distinction between federal and state power is crucial. Recognizing the historical allegations being cited, while also acknowledging the vigorous denials and legal victories of the accused organizations, allows for a nuanced perspective. In an era of complex information, the rights of all workers depend on clear-eyed, factual analysis of policies that reshape the landscape of civic participation.