Florida Officially Designates ANTIFA, CAIR, Muslim Brotherhood as Domestic Terrorist Organizations

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Governor Ron DeSantis announced Wednesday that Florida has officially begun implementing House Bill 1471, a new law that establishes a permanent process for designating terrorist organizations under Florida law. The announcement marks one of the most significant expansions of state-level anti-terrorism authority in Florida's history and places the state among the first in the nation to create its own statutory framework for identifying both domestic and foreign terrorist organizations.

The first round of designations includes Antifa, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist organizations, and more than 90 Foreign Terrorist Organizations already recognized by the United States government, including major international drug cartels. According to the Governor's Office, the designations are intended to prevent organizations that promote or support terrorism from receiving state resources or gaining influence within Florida's institutions.

"Last December, I signed an Executive Order to eliminate the influence of radical terrorist ideologies and the organizations that promote them in Florida," DeSantis said. "This year, I signed legislation to strengthen those protections and give Florida permanent statutory tools to combat terrorism while defending the Constitutional rights of our citizens."¹

The legislation, which took effect July 1, replaces what had previously been accomplished through executive action with a permanent statutory process established by the Florida Legislature. Under the law, Florida's Chief of Domestic Security recommends organizations for designation, with final approval resting with the Governor and Cabinet. Once designated, organizations become subject to restrictions established under state law, including limitations on state funding, government contracts, and other forms of state support.

"Today, we are officially designating terrorist organizations under Florida law," DeSantis said. "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."¹

House Bill 1471 also creates criminal penalties related to prohibited material support for designated terrorist organizations and directs state agencies to coordinate enforcement through Florida's domestic security infrastructure. Supporters of the legislation say the law provides state officials with clearer authority to respond to extremist threats while ensuring taxpayer resources cannot be used to benefit organizations designated under the statute.

For years, critics of Antifa have been told the movement was merely an idea or a label rather than an organization. Florida has now taken an unequivocal position. Under House Bill 1471, the State of Florida has formally designated Antifa as a terrorist organization under state law, placing it alongside more than 90 foreign terrorist organizations, including major international drug cartels.

Speaking during the announcement, DeSantis said Florida intends to remain proactive in confronting organizations the state believes threaten public safety and national security.

"We're going to use every lawful tool available to protect the people of this state," the governor said.²

The implementation of House Bill 1471 represents the first use of Florida's new statutory designation authority and establishes a framework that future administrations may continue to use when evaluating organizations under the law.

You can read Florida's full announcement here :  https://www.flgov.com/eog/news/press/2026/governor-ron-desantis-announces-implementation-florida-law-combat-terrorist

Footnotes

1. Executive Office of Governor Ron DeSantis, Governor Ron DeSantis Announces Implementation of Florida Law to Combat Terrorist Organizations, July 2, 2026.
2. Remarks by Governor Ron DeSantis during the announcement of Florida's implementation of House Bill 1471, Tampa, Florida, July 2, 2026.