A Florida GOP gubernatorial candidate is pushing a "permanent" federal ban on Muslim immigration, arguing Islam is incompatible with American law and values.
Former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner, who launched his gubernatorial bid in the Sunshine State last summer, said Tuesday he would propose and promote a federal ban on Muslim immigration that is "permanent and comprehensive."
"We have to be realistic and be honest that the long-term compatibility of Islam in this country does not exist," he said. "We cannot have long-term compatibility with the American Constitution and with the American way of life."
Renner added that anyone with terrorist ties, who has defrauded taxpayers or who has been convicted of a serious crime should be denaturalized and deported.
Renner made the comments during a news conference while speaking in front of a "No Sharia Law" sign. Sharia law is a religious legal framework derived from Islamic texts that governs aspects of life for some Muslims.
The gubernatorial candidate pointed to the passage of a bill in the Florida Legislature prohibiting the use of certain foreign laws, including Sharia law, in state courts.
Renner asserted that "only American law can be used in American courts and that should go without saying."
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He added that he would also end all funding for schools that promote what he described as Sharia law concepts.
Renner said he would pursue legislation designating the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs).
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis previously issued an executive order last December designating the groups as FTOs, but a federal judge issued a temporary injunction citing First Amendment concerns, according to The Floridian.
In his announcement, Renner cited a "recurring pattern of conflict and violence" in the years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, including a recent shooting at Old Dominion University in Virginia that left one person dead and two others injured.
The suspected shooter, Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, was a former Army National Guard soldier convicted of supporting ISIS, according to the DOJ.
"The simple fact is while there may be people in this country that will live peaceably with us, as a system there will continue to be increased division, increased conflict, and increased violence, which we have seen over the decades since 9/11, and we have to be realistic about that and put a stop to it so that we protect Americans," Renner said. "That is the first order of business for any governor or any elected official and that is what I will do as governor."
DeSantis, who is serving his second consecutive term, is not permitted to run again in 2026. President Donald Trump has previously backed U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds for the job.
