President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order directing the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Treasury to consider whether certain chapters of the Muslim Brotherhood should be designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs).
By this action, taken on November 24, 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.
The Muslim Brotherhood, founded in Egypt in 1928, has developed into a transnational network with chapters across the Middle East and beyond. Relevant here, its chapters in Lebanon, Jordan, and Egypt engage in or facilitate and support violence and destabilization campaigns that harm their own regions, United States citizens, and United States interests.
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.
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 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 America’s regional partners.
It is the policy of the United States to cooperate with its regional partners to eliminate the capabilities and operations of Muslim Brotherhood chapters designated as foreign terrorist organizations pursuant to section 3 of the President’s order, deprive those chapters of resources, and thereby end any threat such chapters pose to United States nationals or the national security of the United States.
Within 30 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Treasury, after consultation with the Attorney General and the Director of National Intelligence, shall submit a joint report to the President, through the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, concerning the designation of any Muslim Brotherhood chapters or other subdivisions, including those in Lebanon, Jordan, and Egypt, as foreign terrorist organizations consistent with U.S. law and executive orders.
The order also mandates the Secretary of State and Secretary of Treasury to act within 45 days after the report to designate chapters as FTOs and SDGTs if appropriate.
President Trump is once again taking steps to preserve international peace and stability and keep America safe.
US Takes Steps to Designate Muslim Brotherhood Chapters
- Policy Office
President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order directing the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Treasury to consider whether certain chapters of the Muslim Brotherhood should be designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists.
