United States President Donald Trump has officially commenced the process of designating specific chapters of the Muslim Brotherhood as foreign terrorist organizations. This significant move represents a major shift in American foreign policy toward the influential Islamic movement.
Executive Order and Investigation Timeline
President Trump signed an executive order that directs Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to prepare and submit a comprehensive report. This document will determine whether to officially designate Muslim Brotherhood chapters operating in several Middle Eastern nations as terrorist entities.
The executive order specifically mentions chapters in Lebanon, Egypt, and Jordan as potential targets for designation. According to the White House fact sheet released alongside the order, the secretaries have been instructed to move forward with any designations within 45 days of completing their report.
Administration's Justification and Allegations
The Trump administration has leveled serious accusations against Muslim Brotherhood factions in these countries. Officials claim these groups have been supporting or encouraging violent attacks against Israel and U.S. partners in the region.
Additionally, the administration alleges that certain Brotherhood chapters have been providing material support to Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that controls the Gaza Strip. A White House statement emphasized that "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."
Political Context and Previous Efforts
This action fulfills a long-standing demand from Republican politicians and conservative voices who have advocated for terrorist designations against the Muslim Brotherhood for years. President Trump had mounted a similar effort during his first term in office, though it didn't reach completion.
The current initiative gained momentum months after Trump's second term began, when Secretary of State Rubio announced the administration was working to designate the movement as a terrorist organization. This federal action follows similar measures at the state level, including last week's decision by Texas Governor Greg Abbott to impose the same designation on the Muslim Brotherhood within his state's jurisdiction.
The Muslim Brotherhood has a complex history dating back to its founding in Egypt during the 1920s. Originally established as an Islamic political movement to counter the spread of secular and nationalist ideas, it rapidly expanded throughout Muslim countries. Despite becoming a major political player in several nations, the organization has frequently operated in secret due to government crackdowns and legal restrictions.
