These three groups are now considered terrorists in Florida. Here’s what happens next
Months after Gov. Ron DeSantis labeled three groups in Florida as “terrorist organizations,” those designations have now become officially effective.
The designations stem in part from a state law that was approved earlier this year, which allows the state to designate terrorist organizations based on certain factors.
Shortly after the law took effect, DeSantis announced that he would impose the terrorist designation on:
- Antifa
- The Muslim Brotherhood
- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement announced the designations had officially taken effect on Thursday, meaning these three groups will now be treated as “domestic terrorist organizations.”
A federal court has affirmed Florida’s designation of CAIR, the Muslim Brotherhood, and Antifa as domestic terrorist organizations. This is the right call for the safety of Floridians. FDLE remains vigilant against threats and committed to keeping Floridians safe. https://t.co/SseLpXJliv
— Florida Department of Law Enforcement (@fdlepio) November 5, 2026
WHAT DOES THE LAW DO?
The new law — HB 1471 — was actually approved earlier this year and makes a variety of changes regarding terrorist organizations.
Many of those revisions are as follows:
- Religious Laws: Courts and tribunals are prohibited from enforcing religious or foreign laws against someone if such application would violate his/her constitutional rights
- Private Schools: Prohibits private schools participating in state scholarship programs from being owned or funded by terrorist groups, terrorist supporters, or criminal gangs
- State Universities: Prevents institutions in the Florida College System from using state funds to support programs that advocate for terrorist organizations
- Visa Students: Public colleges must report information about the current status of students who are attending on a visa if they promote terrorist organizations
- Student Expulsions: If a student promotes a terrorist organization while enrolled at a public university, the student must be immediately expelled and assessed an out-of-state fee
However, a major component of the law is a new rule that allows the FDLE executive director — a role appointed by the governor — to designate certain groups as terrorist organizations.
To do so, the FDLE director must find the following criteria:
| Domestic (DTO) or Foreign (FTO)? | Criteria |
|---|---|
| DTO | The organization is based in or operates in the U.S. |
| DTO | The organization’s terrorist activity is an ongoing threat to the security of Florida or the U.S. |
| DTO | The organization is engaging in activities that involve illegal acts to intimidate/coerce a civilian population, influence the policy of a government by intimidation/coercion, or affect the conduct of government by mass destruction, assassination or kidnapping |
| FTO | The organization is designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. Secretary of State pursuant to the Immigration and Nationality Act |
| FTO | The organization’s terrorist activity is an ongoing threat to the security of Florida or the U.S. |
At least seven days before designating a group as a terrorist organization, the FDLE director must provide written notice to the Cabinet, along with written findings behind the decision.
Then, the Cabinet is responsible for either approving or rejecting the designation.
If a group (like the three listed on Thursday) is properly dubbed a terrorist organization, the following consequences will also apply:
- No taxpayer funding: State and local agencies may not expend funds or levy ad valorem taxes to support such an organization or its members
- No school funding: Public colleges, universities, and school districts may not use public resources to support or promote designated organizations
- Harsher penalties: Criminal penalties imposed against such organization may be enhanced
- Terrorism crimes: The following terrorist-related crimes include conduct involving a domestic terrorist group as designated by the FDLE head:
Critics like the ACLU have warned that HB 1471 includes vague standards without constitutional safeguards.
However, proponents like DeSantis instead argue that the law will help protect citizens by combatting the influence of “radical terrorist ideologies.”
For a full list of new Florida laws approved this year, click here.