President Donald Trump has initiated the process to designate certain chapters of the Muslim Brotherhood as foreign terrorist organizations, a move that could lead to sanctions against the influential Islamist movement. This executive action, signed on Monday, directs top officials to report on chapters in Lebanon, Egypt, and Jordan within 45 days.
On Monday, November 24, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order that mandates Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to submit a comprehensive report assessing whether to designate specific Muslim Brotherhood affiliates as foreign terrorist organizations and specially designated global terrorists. The order requires this report to be completed within 45 days, after which the administration can proceed with formal designations. This step marks a significant escalation in the U.S. government’s approach to the Muslim Brotherhood, which has long been a target of Republican criticism. The White House emphasized that this action aims to disrupt the group’s transnational networks that allegedly fuel terrorism and destabilization in the Middle East.
The focus is on Muslim Brotherhood chapters in Lebanon, Egypt, and Jordan, which the Trump administration accuses of supporting or encouraging violent attacks against Israel and U.S. allies, as well as providing material support to Hamas. According to a White House fact sheet, these factions are implicated in activities that threaten regional security and American interests. The designations, if implemented, would make it illegal to provide any form of material support to these groups and could trigger asset freezes and travel bans. This move aligns with longstanding calls from conservative lawmakers to take a harder stance against the Brotherhood.
The Muslim Brotherhood was founded in Egypt in the 1920s as an Islamic political movement aimed at countering secular and nationalist trends, and it quickly spread across Muslim-majority countries, often operating underground or in semi-clandestine manners. Over the decades, it has evolved into a major political and social force, with branches in various nations, though its status varies from being banned to participating in governance. In Egypt, for instance, the Brotherhood briefly held power after the 2011 revolution before being ousted and designated as a terrorist group by the current government. Its complex history includes both peaceful activism and allegations of ties to violence, making it a contentious subject in international relations.
This is not the first time the Trump administration has targeted the Muslim Brotherhood; during his first term, similar efforts were considered but did not result in a broad designation. Republicans, including figures like Senator Marco Rubio, have consistently advocated for labeling the entire movement as a terrorist organization, arguing that it poses a threat to U.S. security and allies. Recently, Texas Governor Greg Abbott took state-level action by designating the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist group, highlighting the political momentum behind such measures. The current executive order reflects a more targeted approach, focusing on specific chapters rather than the movement as a whole, possibly to address legal and diplomatic concerns.
If the designations are finalized, they could have far-reaching consequences, including straining relations with countries where the Brotherhood has a presence, such as Jordan and Lebanon, which are U.S. partners. It may also impact humanitarian and political dynamics in the region, as the Brotherhood is involved in various social and charitable activities. While the administration frames this as a necessary step to combat terrorism, critics warn that it could exacerbate tensions and undermine moderate elements within Islamist movements. The international community, including allies in Europe and the Middle East, will be closely watching the developments, as their own policies toward the Brotherhood vary.
The next 45 days will be critical, as Rubio and Bessent compile their report, which will likely involve intelligence assessments and consultations with regional experts. Depending on the findings, the U.S. could move to impose sanctions on the designated chapters, potentially affecting their operations and funding networks. This process may also trigger legal challenges or diplomatic negotiations, especially if allied governments disagree with the designations. Ultimately, this action underscores the Trump administration’s continued focus on countering Islamist extremism through executive measures, setting the stage for further policy shifts in U.S. foreign policy.
