Report: Muslim Brotherhood Embedded in U.S. Government Agencies
Dr. Kanta Ahmed from the Independent Women’s Forum discussed a report by ISGAP that claims the Muslim Brotherhood has infiltrated various U.S. government agencies. The conversation also touched on Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s designation of CAIR as a terrorist organization.
President Donald Trump’s recent executive order instructing the State and Treasury Departments to explore terrorist designations for specific Muslim Brotherhood factions represents a notable shift in U.S. policy regarding the movement, something that hasn’t happened in decades.
This November 24 bill initiates the first formal review of Brotherhood branches in Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon under the U.S. Designation Act, which could redefine how Washington approaches the Islamist movement both politically and militarily.
Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) applauded this action, emphasizing its importance for national security. He stated, “The Muslim Brotherhood and its affiliates encourage, facilitate, and provide resources to carry out jihadist terrorism around the world.” Furthermore, he urged Congress to promote the Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Act of 2025.
A recent report calls for labeling Islamist groups that have made their way into various aspects of American life as terrorist organizations.
Washington has been torn over whether the Brotherhood operates as a unified global organization or as a loose network with differing goals. This debate has slowed prior attempts to designate the group as a terrorist organization. However, Trump’s order avoids that argument by directing federal agencies to review specific chapters that experts claim already meet legal criteria for designation.
Mariam Wahba, a research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, noted that this directive “translates years of debate into concrete action” and compels government agencies to assess Brotherhood organizations as structured entities with leadership, funding, and documented ties to terrorism. She pointed out that the order evaluates Islamist actors based on their actions, not merely their labels.
The Brotherhood has faced bans in several Arab nations. For instance, Egypt outlawed it in 2013, accusing it of radicalization and attempts to destabilize state institutions. Other countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE considered it a direct threat and imposed their own measures. Bahrain and Austria have taken legal actions against Brotherhood networks as well.
Officials in these regions assert that the Brotherhood utilizes religious preaching, political activism, charitable organizations, and media to sway public opinion and challenge governmental authority.
Conversely, in the U.S., organizations connected to the Brotherhood operate without much restriction. They engage in various activities including charities and community groups, which has raised concerns among counterterrorism officials. This is particularly true after a 2000s federal probe found internal memos revealing plans to influence Western institutions from within.
A report commissioned by the French government earlier this year highlighted concerns over the Brotherhood’s impact in France, although no formal ban has been established yet.
Trump Hints at Plans to Designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a Terrorist Organization
A study from the Mind Israel think tank indicated that the Brotherhood’s ideology centers on long-term social influence through avenues like education, welfare, and media. Founded by Hassan al-Banna in Egypt in 1928, experts argue the Brotherhood has aimed to use Islam as a means to address contemporary political issues, eventually influencing jihadist groups such as al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.
Although it maintains a symbolic figurehead known as the “general guide” in Egypt, the Brotherhood now operates as a decentralized network spanning the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and North America. Wahba explained that this fragmentation is why previous efforts by the U.S. to impose a broad designation fell short. Trump’s order instead targets specific components involved in violence, reminiscent of the 1997 U.S. designation of Hamas.
This decision arises amid increasing Israeli concerns regarding the revival of Islamist groups receiving support from Türkiye and Qatar. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Trump’s actions, branding the Brotherhood as a destabilizing force throughout the Middle East and beyond.
Abner Golov, vice president of Mind Israel, suggested that the U.S. should pair this new vetting process with measures to counteract foreign influence in academia, condition arms deals on changes in behavior, and close loopholes exploited by extremist affiliates.
As the State and Treasury Departments assess evidence, officials express that the aim is not an outright ban, but rather to pursue legal actions based on verifiable ties to terrorism. Analysts suggest that the results could shape how the U.S. addresses a movement that remains active in Western societies but has been outlawed in many areas of the Middle East.
