TAMPA, Fla. — The Council on American-Islamic Relations-Florida (CAIR-FL) has initiated legal proceedings against Gov. Ron DeSantis, following his designation of the group as a “foreign terrorist organization” just a day earlier.

This move was unveiled by Florida’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization during a press conference held on Tuesday at noon in Tampa. CAIR members have described DeSantis’ latest executive actions as an “Unconstitutional and Defamatory ‘Israel First Political Stunt.'”

According to CAIR-FL leadership, the lawsuit is structured to safeguard “the civil rights and liberties” of the Muslim population and all residents of Florida. They argue that the governor’s recent accusation against CAIR-FL is merely a ploy related to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

“Since Ron DeSantis assumed the role of Florida’s governor, his focus has been more on serving the interests of the Israeli government than those of Floridians,” stated Hiba Rahim, CAIR Florida’s Interim Executive Director. “His first official cabinet meeting was held in Israel.”

Rahim also claimed that DeSantis has spent “millions” of state taxpayer money on Israeli government bonds, which she says could go towards healthcare or to prevent high rent prices. 

“Our economy is suffering, but our tax money is going to fuel a better quality of life for Israelis,” she said.

In a separate press conference in Miami, DeSantis responded to the lawsuit announcement, saying he “welcomes” it. He also said the state legislature is working on statutory laws that would involve how Florida handles terrorist designations.

“They have every right to sue, and we’re going to have the right to get the information that we need,” the governor said. “I’d stay tuned there.”

“In response, we will not back down,” Rahim said during the Tampa conference. “Your basis has no designation in law or fact.”

The directive designating the Council on American-Islamic Relations a “foreign terrorist organization” came in an executive order DeSantis posted on the social media site X. It also gives the same label to the Muslim Brotherhood.

Neither CAIR nor the Muslim Brotherhood is designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. government.

The order instructs Florida agencies to prevent the two groups and those who have provided them material support from receiving contracts, employment and funds from a state executive or cabinet agency.

Founded in 1994, CAIR has 25 chapters around the country.

CAIR last month asked a federal judge to strike down Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s proclamation, saying in a lawsuit that it was “not only contrary to the United States Constitution, but finds no support in any Texas law.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.