Trump Moves to Designate Some Muslim Brotherhood Chapters as Terrorist Organizations

On Monday, November 24, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing top national security officials to begin the process of designating certain chapters of the Muslim Brotherhood as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs). The order instructs Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to undertake the review and follow the statutory steps for potential designations.

The document describes the Muslim Brotherhood as a “transnational network with chapters across the Middle East and beyond,” and cites activities by chapters in Lebanon, Jordan, and Egypt that “engage in or facilitate and support violence and destabilization campaigns that harm their own regions, United States citizens, and United States interests.” The order references events following the October 7, 2023, attack in Israel, stating that “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.” It adds that “a senior leader of the Egyptian chapter of the Muslim Brotherhood, on October 7, 2023, called for violent attacks against United States partners and interests,” and that “Jordanian Muslim Brotherhood leaders have long provided material support to the militant wing of Hamas.”

The move is framed as part of a broader effort to curb violence and destabilization by a transnational network, with the president directing a formal process that could lead to designation under applicable U.S. law. While the order sets in motion the statutory steps for potential designation, it does not immediately label any group; it instead signals a deliberate review by the State and Treasury departments to determine which chapters, if any, meet the criteria for FTO and SDGT status.

For observers, the executive action represents a significant escalation in how the United States evaluates and responds to international political movements tied to violence. The process will likely involve legal reviews, interagency coordination, and potential impacts on foreign relations and regional diplomacy as the United States weighs designation against broader strategic considerations.

Cover image source: Donald Trump moves to name some Muslim Brotherhood chapters ‘terrorist organizations’ 🔗

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