Trump Takes Action Against Muslim Brotherhood Affiliates
This week kicked off the holiday season with some important news from the administration. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing the Departments of State and Treasury to initiate the process of classifying certain Muslim Brotherhood (MB) affiliates as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs).
The Muslim Brotherhood, established in 1928, has gained significant traction in the Islamist political landscape, with millions of followers and political parties in nations like Jordan and Tunisia. Unlike groups such as al-Qaeda or ISIS, the MB takes a more gradual approach to influencing society, focusing on outreach and elections. However, it has connections to Hamas, particularly following the rocket attacks after October 7, 2023.
It’s noteworthy that the MB is among the oldest Islamist movements in the Arab world, though only a minority of its political faction distances itself from violence. Countries like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Bahrain have already labeled parts of the organization as terrorist entities.
“It will be done in the strongest terms,” Trump stated over the weekend, adding that “We are preparing the final documents.”
As Thanksgiving and Christmas approach, analysts have observed a pattern of Islamist groups targeting these holidays, viewing them as prime opportunities for attacks, particularly in predominantly Christian areas. This tactic combines a strategic execution of violence aimed at crowded events and an ideological stance against Western culture.
The directive includes instructions for Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to assess and enact designations for MB organizations across various countries. If these designations go through, a series of U.S. sanctions would be implemented, including freezes on assets and travel bans.
A government official remarked that this action represents a significant move toward dismantling the MB’s international network, especially given its historical ties to Hamas following the aforementioned rocket attacks in the wake of the conflict in Israel.
Interestingly, this is not the first time such measures have been considered. An earlier attempt during Trump’s first term was halted due to discussions about legal grounds for such designations. By 2017, concerns were raised about the MB’s decentralized structure, making comprehensive designations complicated.
Notably, Governor Greg Abbott from Texas recently identified both the MB and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as terrorist organizations under state law, encouraging institutions to reconsider their relationships with these entities.
White House press secretary Caroline Levitt commented that the new designation aims to sever funding sources, expose misleading fronts, and underscore the U.S. stance against long-standing support for terrorism linked to the MB.
However, some experts caution that the wide-ranging label could strain ties with nations like Jordan and Qatar, complicating counter-terrorism efforts involving MB affiliates. The State Department has 180 days to complete its review on this matter before a formal recommendation is made.
If realized, this designation would mark one of the most notable U.S. actions against a mainstream Islamist movement since 9/11. It also aligns with recent Congressional actions, such as the Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Act of 2025 that classifies the group as a “transnational Islamist organization.”
Online reactions have been mixed. Many conservative commentators welcomed the announcement, viewing it as long overdue, while others criticized it for being insufficient, arguing it doesn’t address the entire organization, particularly its branches in Qatar and Turkey.
Commentator Laura Loomer expressed her disappointment, arguing the executive order should have targeted the MB comprehensively rather than focusing on specific branches only.
