Trump’s Potential Designation of Muslim Brotherhood

President Donald Trump is reportedly getting ready to label the Muslim Brotherhood as a foreign terrorist organization. He mentioned that “it will be done in the strongest and strongest terms. The final document is being drawn up,” during a statement on Sunday.

The U.S. Department of State maintains a list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTO), which includes groups like Antifa, Torren de Aragua, ISIS, Boko Haram, and Hamas. The designation of an FTO is significant under the Immigration and Nationality Act. It’s seen as a way to combat terrorism and reduce support for such activities.

Reports indicate that Trump has been contemplating this step regarding the Muslim Brotherhood since his first term. The group, founded in Egypt nearly a hundred years ago, has numerous branches and affiliated movements around the globe.

Back in June, Rep. Nancy Mace (R-South Carolina) introduced legislation to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as an FTO. She stated, “The Muslim Brotherhood not only supports terrorism, it incites terrorism.” Mace also noted that Trump was correct in identifying the group as a threat to global security, emphasizing that those days of calling them merely terrorists are in the past.

According to a press release from Mace’s office, the proposed bill is aimed at implementing serious national security controls, including financial sanctions, asset freezes, travel bans, and targeted actions to disrupt the group’s activities both in the U.S. and internationally. Mace highlighted the historical connections between the Muslim Brotherhood and radical Islamist movements, pointing out the ways in which its affiliates have contributed to terrorism and undermined critical U.S. allies.

Recently, news emerged from the Department of Homeland Security confirming that a British journalist, suspected of being affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood, is in ICE custody and facing possible deportation.