NewsNBC 6 South Florida (WTVJ) – Local NewsJuly 1, 2026Florida
Florida Governor Designates Groups as Terrorist Organizations Under New Law
Governor Ron DeSantis has initiated the process to label several groups, including the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the Muslim Brotherhood, and antifa, as terrorist organizations under a new state law. The law, HB 1471, also mandates the expulsion of university students who promote these groups and restricts state funding for affiliated programs.
Read the full story at NBC 6 South Florida (WTVJ) – Local NewsWhy It Matters
The law grants the state authority to label organizations as terrorist entities, which triggers mandatory student expulsions, restricts state funding for associated programs, and prohibits the enforcement of foreign or religious laws in state courts.
Key Facts
- HB 1471 allows the state to designate domestic and foreign groups as terrorist organizations.
- The Governor has recommended designating CAIR, the Muslim Brotherhood, antifa, and over 90 foreign organizations including Tren de Aragua and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
- Designations require approval from the Florida Cabinet (Attorney General, CFO, and Agriculture Commissioner).
- The law mandates the expulsion of Florida College System students who 'promote' designated terrorist organizations.
- Promotion is defined as actions that threaten violence, disrupt learning, infringe on rights, or offer material support.
- Public universities and colleges are prohibited from using state or federal funds to support programs promoting designated groups.
- Schools affiliated with designated terrorist organizations are barred from receiving state K-12 scholarship funds.
- The law prohibits courts from enforcing foreign or religious laws, specifically citing Sharia law.
- The Chief of Domestic Security (FDLE Commissioner) is authorized to designate organizations.
- HB 1473 provides a public records exemption for documents related to how terrorist designations are determined.
- The bill passed the Legislature with votes of 80-25 in the House and 25-11 in the Senate.
Who's Mentioned
organizationantifa“Anti-fascist movement targeted for terrorist designation.”organizationMuslim Brotherhood“Organization targeted for terrorist designation.”personMark Glass“Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner and Chief of Domestic Securit”organizationTren de Aragua“Foreign organization included in the Governor's designation list.”personMark Walker“U.S. District Court Judge who issued a previous injunction.”personBlaise Ingoglia“Florida Chief Financial Officer and member of the Florida Cabinet.”organizationIslamic Revolutionary Guard Corps“Foreign organization included in the Governor's designation list.”personJames Uthmeier“Florida Attorney General and member of the Florida Cabinet.”personRon DeSantis“Governor of Florida who initiated the terrorist designations.”personWilton Simpson“Florida Agriculture Commissioner and member of the Florida Cabinet.”organizationCouncil on American-Islamic Relations“Civil rights nonprofit targeted for terrorist designation.”personScott McCoy“Deputy legal director of the Southern Poverty Law Center.”