President Donald Trump signed an executive order Nov. 24 directing the Secretary of State and Secretary of the Treasury to begin the process of designating some chapters of the Muslim Brotherhood as foreign terrorist organizations.
“This order sets in motion a process by which certain chapters or other subdivisions of the Muslim Brotherhood shall be considered for designation as Foreign Terrorist Organizations … and specially designated global terrorists,” the order stated.
The text went on to state the president’s case against the Muslim Brotherhood, pointing to its links to foreign actors who have supported Islamist militant groups and participated in attacks on Israel.
The Muslim Brotherhood is a “transnational network with chapters across the Middle East and beyond,” some of which “engage in or facilitate and support violence and destabilization campaigns that harm their own regions, United States citizens, and United States interests,” according to the order.
“For example, in the aftermath of the October 7, 2023, attack in Israel, the military wing of the Lebanese chapter of the Muslim Brotherhood joined Hamas, Hezbollah, and Palestinian factions to launch multiple rocket attacks against both civilian and military targets within Israel.”
Also on Oct. 7 2023, the order continued, a leader of the Muslim Brotherhood’s chapter in Egypt “called for violent attacks against United States partners and interests,” while “Jordanian Muslim Brotherhood leaders have long provided material support to the militant wing of Hamas.”
“Such activities threaten the security of American civilians in the Levant and other parts of the Middle East, as well as the safety and stability of our regional partners,” the text asserted.
The order directs Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to consult with Attorney General Pam Bondi and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, then report to Trump within 30 days “concerning the designation of any Muslim Brotherhood chapters or other subdivisions, including those in Lebanon, Jordan, and Egypt,” as foreign terrorist organizations and specially designated global terrorists.
“Within 45 days of submitting the report,” the order directs, Rubio and Bessent “shall take all appropriate action” based on the designations.
A fact sheet produced by the White House on the day Trump signed the order stated that “President Trump continues to prioritize robust counterterrorism measures to protect Americans and strengthen national security against foreign threats, while promoting peace and stability around the world.”
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