Trump Moves to Label Muslim Brotherhood Branches as Terrorist Organizations

Trump Moves to Label Muslim Brotherhood Branches as Terrorist Organizations

In a significant foreign-policy move, United States President Donald Trump has directed his administration to begin the process of designating several branches of the Muslim Brotherhood as “terrorist” organizations. The decision targets Brotherhood-affiliated groups in Egypt, Lebanon, and Jordan, citing alleged ties to Hamas and other regional actors involved in the ongoing conflict with Israel.

According to the White House, the order issued Monday comes as part of Washington’s broader effort to intensify pressure against groups considered hostile to U.S. interests and allies in the Middle East.

    Why the Muslim Brotherhood Is Being Targeted

According to Al-jazeera The decree accuses leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood in Jordan of providing “material support” to Hamas, while claiming that Lebanon’s branch, known as al-Jamaa al-Islamiya, has aligned itself with both Hamas and Hezbollah. It also references an Egyptian Brotherhood figure who allegedly encouraged violent actions during the war in Gaza, though no specific details were provided.

The Muslim Brotherhood has been outlawed in Egypt for years and largely forced to operate underground. Nevertheless, its branches across the region continue to function in various political and social capacities.

In a statement, the White House said:

"President Trump is confronting the Muslim Brotherhood’s transnational network, which fuels terrorism and destabilization campaigns against U.S. interests and allies in the Middle East.”

Under Trump’s directive, the secretary of state and treasury secretary must work with U.S. intelligence officials to produce a detailed assessment within 30 days. A formal “foreign terrorist organization” designation could then be applied to the targeted branches within 45 days, though analysts say the process often moves faster in practice.

This order also leaves open the possibility of sanctioning additional Muslim Brotherhood branches in the future, expanding the scope of Washington’s crackdown.

If implemented, the designation would:

🔹Make it illegal to provide material support to the group

🔹Bar current and former members from entering the U.S.

🔹Trigger economic sanctions aimed at cutting off financial resources

According to Reuters The White House is also pushing for the groups to be listed as “designated global terrorists,” a classification that carries further legal and financial penalties.

    A Longstanding Goal of U.S. Right-Wing Activists Founded in 1928 by Egyptian scholar Hassan al-Banna, the Muslim Brotherhood has grown into a vast network across the Middle East, often operating as political parties or social organizations. Many of these groups participate in elections and publicly commit to peaceful political engagement. However, several Middle Eastern governments have banned or restricted them.

In the U.S., calls to blacklist the Muslim Brotherhood have circulated for years, especially among conservative activists. Critics, however, warn that such a designation could support authoritarian crackdowns abroad and stifle legitimate political expression.

      Concerns for Muslim American Communities

Some civil rights advocates fear the decree could be misused against Muslim organizations and activists in the U.S., despite a lack of evidence linking domestic Muslim groups to the Brotherhood.

Nihad Awad, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), dismissed concerns that the designation would affect Muslim American institutions:

"American Muslim organizations are solid. They are based in the U.S. The relief organizations serve millions abroad. I hope this will not impact their work.”

He noted that anti-Muslim groups have long pushed conspiracy theories suggesting U.S. Muslim organizations act as fronts for the Brotherhood—claims that have repeatedly been debunked.

Recently, Texas Governor Greg Abbott designated both the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR as “foreign terrorist organizations,” prompting CAIR to file a lawsuit in response.

    Experts See the Move as Politically Motivated

Middle East analysts argue that Trump’s decision is aimed more at domestic political messaging than actual regional strategy.

Rami Khouri, a senior fellow at the American University of Beirut, said the move appeals to right-wing audiences in the U.S. and Israel rather than serving practical geopolitical goals.

He added that the order comes as Washington struggles to advance ceasefire efforts in Gaza:

"It’s very amateurish foreign policy, but it appeals to right-wing zealots. It’s not aimed at the Middle East. It’s aimed at domestic television audiences and donors.”

Khouri suggested that the designation may have limited impact on the ground in the Middle East but could play a role in shaping political narratives within the U.S.