DeSantis Signs Bill Targeting Terrorist Organizations

Governor Ron DeSantis enacted a new bill on Monday that establishes a nationwide framework for labeling terrorist organizations and penalizing universities that lend support to them. He stated this move is part of a broader effort to combat Islamic extremism within Florida.

Speaking next to a sign condemning Sharia law, DeSantis emphasized that the legislation aims to safeguard Floridians and their financial interests. “We’re investing millions in public safety and education, but we won’t contribute to holy war,” he remarked, mentioning that while the federal government often takes such actions, it’s crucial for Florida to do so as well.

This bill, known as HB1471, asserts that Florida courts are prohibited from enforcing any foreign or religious law, including Sharia law. Additionally, it empowers the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to classify a domestic group as a terrorist organization, which would impose restrictions such as barring the group from accessing any public funding.

DeSantis described the legislation as the most robust measure Florida has taken to shield its residents from various impacts—financial, political, and cultural—and pointed to the potential for overt actions similar to an incident at Old Dominion University.

Under this law, Florida universities would lose access to public funding if they show support for groups identified as terrorist organizations. Schools would also be mandated to expel any students promoting those groups.

“Should you be spending your money on a school affiliated with the Council of American Islamic Relations? I think not,” he remarked.

The bill comes in light of a tragic event last month at Old Dominion University in Virginia, where a gunman opened fire in a classroom, resulting in the death of a veteran instructor and injuring others. Witnesses reported the gunman shouting “Allah Akbar,” prompting an investigation into whether the act was terrorism.

This attack followed a joint offensive by the United States and Israel against Iran in February, which raised fears of retaliatory actions by Iranian proxies in the U.S. Following the October 7 terrorist attacks in Israel by Hamas, the campus had already experienced significant anti-Israel protests and unrest.

Critics have raised concerns over the bill, arguing it infringes upon First Amendment rights. The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida labeled it as “dangerous,” asserting that it empowers the government to label individuals and organizations as “domestic terrorists” without adequate standards or transparency.

The bill follows DeSantis’ recent executive order that designated CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood as foreign terrorist organizations. However, a federal judge has temporarily blocked the order from being implemented pending further court proceedings.