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The University of Florida’s chapter of College Republicans has taken legal action against the institution following its disbandment over allegations of antisemitism. The university’s decision to dissolve the chapter came in response to accusations from an external source, which claimed one of the chapter’s members was captured in a photograph making a Nazi salute. This image was reportedly sent to both the FBI and other entities by the journalist who took the photo.
The University of Florida, in a public statement, explained that the Florida Federation of College Republicans (FFCR) had advised them to disband the local chapter. The FFCR’s recommendation was based on their conclusion that certain members of the chapter had engaged in behavior that was inconsistent with their rules and values, specifically highlighting the recent antisemitic gesture.
The UF College Republicans have countered these actions by filing a lawsuit. They assert that the university acted unlawfully by dissolving their chapter based solely on accusations from an organization that, in their view, lacks the authority to govern them. According to a statement shared on the social media platform X, the UFCR emphasized that the FFCR holds no jurisdiction over their chapter, as they are affiliated with the College Republicans of America, not the FFCR.
UF’s College Republicans chapter filed a lawsuit claiming the university unlawfully disbanded the group based on claims from an outside organization with no authority over them. (Phelan M. Ebenhack/The Orlando Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
UF College Republicans (UFCR) responded to the statement on X, saying FFCR has no authority over UFCR and has nothing to do with their organization. Instead, they note they are members of College Republicans of America.
“They cited the FFCR, an organization that we are not a part of that has no authority over our chapter,” UFCR posted. “We are proud members of a different organization [College Republicans of America].”
“We look forward to the University reinstating our club and correcting this statement,” the post continued. “We have retained counsel and have received information that this is not the first time that FFCR has lied to silence christian conservative groups on campus.”
College Republicans of America also defended the chapter, reposting UFCR’s statement that they expect UF to reinstate the UF chapter.
Backed by legal counsel, UF College Republicans are seeking reinstatement through the courts, calling the university’s decision politically motivated and unjustified. (James Gilbert/Getty Images)
UFCR also filed a lawsuit against the university, backed by Lake County, Florida, County Commissioner and attorney Anthony Sabatini, who posted to X about the disbanding of UFCR.
“The University of Florida punitively deactivated and shut down the UFCR, in response to alleged viewpoints expressed by a member of UFCR, and in an effort to silence the club and chill its future speech,” Sabatini posted. “After the deactivation, UF sought to justify its unlawful decision by providing a false pretext as a basis, asserting that it had acted at the behest of a third-party group, the Florida Federation of College Republicans (FFCR), a group with no authority over or affiliation with UFCR.”
“No university policy, rule, or law provides UF a lawful basis for the deactivation,” the post continued. “We are seeking an emergency preliminary injunction.”
The dispute escalated into a lawsuit after UF dissolved its College Republicans chapter following a viral photo and pressure from a separate Republican federation. (James Gilbert/Getty Images)
William Donahue, the chairman of College Republicans of America, released a statement on the matter, saying that “doxxing one another” is damaging the GOP agenda.Â
“We cannot keep fighting one another harder than we fight the Left,” Donahue said in a statement. “We cannot keep spending our energy on endless internal vendettas while the country asks who will lower prices, secure the streets, defend the border, and restore order.”
“We cannot keep doxxing one another, condemning one another, trying to destroy organizations, reputations, and livelihoods, and then expect the public to believe we are ready to govern,” Donahue said.
Fox News Digital reached out to UFCR, Donahue, FFCR, and Sabatini, but did not receive responses in time for publication.Â
Preston Mizell is a writer with Fox News. Story tips can be sent to Preston.Mizell@fox.com and on X @MizellPreston