Trump Administration Targets Muslim Brotherhood as Terrorist Organization

The White House has announced a significant escalation in its strategy against the Muslim Brotherhood, alleging its involvement in terrorism and destabilization efforts threatening U.S. interests and allies in the Middle East. President Donald Trump has officially signed a decree that mandates the Secretaries of State and Treasury to identify specific branches of the Muslim Brotherhood as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTO) and Special Designated Global Terrorists (SDGT). The decree requires these officials, in consultation with the Attorney General and the Director of National Intelligence, to assess and report on the potential designation of the Muslim Brotherhood branches in Lebanon, Egypt, and Jordan. This report must be submitted within 30 days, after which a decision is expected to be made within an additional 45 days on how to proceed with the designations. The U.S. government claims that the actions taken are vital to quelling threats posed by the Muslim Brotherhood. According to statements from the White House, the group's actions have fueled terrorism throughout the region, culminating in their support for violent attacks against U.S. allies. In particular, following a recent attack on October 7, 2023, the administration asserts that military elements of the Lebanese Muslim Brotherhood assisted terrorist factions in launching attacks against Israel. Furthermore, the administration highlights that leaders from the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood have incited violence against U.S. interests while those in Jordan have historically supported Hamas. This recent decree is part of a broader pattern from the Trump Administration focused on designating terrorist organizations. Just prior to this, in January, Trump pushed to label the Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah, as an international terrorist organization. In addition, in February, the State Department designated eight cartels, including the Tren de Aragua and MS13, as terrorist organizations. The administration has deported numerous gang members, emphasizing a commitment to prevent foreign terrorists from endangering U.S. citizens. This proactive stance against groups deemed as terrorist organizations has been paired with strict immigration policies. In June, Trump signed a proclamation limiting the entry of nonimmigrants from countries with a history of terrorism. Furthermore, the administration has also engaged in controversial tactics such as extrajudicial killings of alleged narcoterrorists in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. As articulated in the recent order, U.S. policy aims to work closely with regional allies to dismantle the operational capabilities and resources of the sections of the Muslim Brotherhood that might be designated as foreign terrorist organizations. The ultimate goal, as reiterated by the White House, is to neutralize any threats these organizations pose to American safety and national security. As developments unfold over the next few months regarding the assessment and potential designation of the Muslim Brotherhood, the implications of this order could reshape the dynamics of U.S. relations in the Middle East and alter the ongoing battle against terrorist activities in the region. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2