Former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner, a Republican candidate for Florida governor, announced Tuesday that he would propose and advocate for a permanent federal ban on Muslim immigration, arguing that Islam is incompatible with American law and values.

Renner made the announcement during a news conference held in front of a "No Sharia Law" sign. He cited what he called a "recurring pattern of conflict and violence" since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, pointing to a recent shooting at Old Dominion University in Virginia as context for his proposal.

What the Right Is Saying

Renner defended his position, stating that he was being "realistic and honest" about what he called the incompatibility between Islam and American constitutional values. He argued that while some Muslims may live peacefully in America, the religion as a system would continue to create division and conflict.

Renner said during his announcement, "We have to be realistic and be honest that the long-term compatibility of Islam in this country does not exist. We cannot have long-term compatibility with the American Constitution and with the American way of life."

The gubernatorial candidate also said he would pursue legislation to designate both the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR as Foreign Terrorist Organizations. He cited the recent Old Dominion University shooting, in which the suspected shooter was a former Army National Guard soldier convicted of supporting ISIS.

Renner added that he would end all funding for schools that promote what he described as Sharia law concepts, and called for denaturalization and deportation of anyone with terrorist ties, those who have defrauded taxpayers, or those convicted of serious crimes.

Some conservative commentators have supported similar proposals. Following the Texas mall shooting, several right-leaning voices called for immigration bans from Islamic countries and U.S. adversaries.

What the Left Is Saying

Civil rights organizations and progressive leaders quickly condemned Renner's proposal as unconstitutional and discriminatory. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), which Renner has called to designate as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, called the proposal "anti-American" and said it would fuel discrimination against American Muslims.

A spokesperson for CAIR said in a statement, "This proposal is not only unconstitutional but would undermine the very foundations of religious freedom that America was built upon."

Democratic lawmakers and advocacy groups argued that Renner's comments conflate terrorism with the Islamic faith. State Senator Tina Polsky said, "Targeting an entire religion for immigration is not only unconstitutional, it's un-American. We should be fighting terrorism, not scapegoating millions of peaceful American Muslims."

The Muslim Public Affairs Council called the proposal "dangerous" and said it would "stigmatize and marginalize American Muslim citizens who contribute to our society every day."

What the Numbers Show

Florida's Muslim population has grown significantly over the past two decades. According to the Pew Research Center, Florida had approximately 438,000 Muslim residents as of 2020, representing about 2% of the state's population.

Governor Ron DeSantis issued an executive order in December designating CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood as Foreign Terrorist Organizations. However, a federal judge issued a temporary injunction blocking the order, citing First Amendment concerns about designating domestic organizations as terrorist groups.

The Florida Legislature passed a bill prohibiting the use of certain foreign laws, including Sharia law, in state courts. Renner referenced this legislation during his announcement, stating that "only American law can be used in American courts."

According to the Department of Justice, the suspected shooter in the Old Dominion University shooting, Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, was a former Army National Guard soldier convicted of supporting ISIS before the incident.

Governor DeSantis is serving his second consecutive term and cannot run again in 2026 due to term limits. President Donald Trump has publicly backed U.S. Representative Byron Donalds for the Republican gubernatorial nomination.

The Bottom Line

Renner's proposal faces significant legal and political obstacles. Constitutional scholars note that blanket bans on immigration based on religion would likely face substantial First Amendment challenges, similar to the travel ban that was initially blocked before being upheld in modified form.

The 2026 Florida Republican gubernatorial primary is expected to be competitive, with Renner joining a field that includes Congressman Byron Donalds, who has Trump's endorsement. Any candidate's position on immigration and national security will likely be a central issue in the primary.

Civil rights organizations have vowed to challenge any such proposals legally, and Muslim advocacy groups say they will work to mobilize voters against candidates who support discriminatory policies. The outcome of the primary and general election may hinge on how voters weigh security concerns against religious freedom protections.