The Trump administration is preparing to label the Muslim Brotherhood as a foreign terrorist organization, according to statements made by former President Donald Trump. In a conversation with Just The News, Trump emphasized that the designation would be enacted “in the strongest and most powerful terms,” and noted that the necessary documents are in the final stages of preparation. This move represents a significant shift from the policies of previous U.S. administrations.
In 2012, following Egypt’s revolution, representatives of the Muslim Brotherhood engaged with various U.S. officials, including members of former President Barack Obama’s administration. At the time, White House spokesman Tommy Vietor explained to Politico that the U.S. expanded its engagement to include “new and emerging political parties and actors.” This approach contrasts with the current push from lawmakers—primarily Republicans, with some Democratic support—for the State Department to classify the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has indicated that the process of designating the Muslim Brotherhood is underway. He explained in August that the review is detailed and thorough, as the group operates through numerous branches and affiliates that require individual assessment. In an interview, Rubio stated that the State Department is continually evaluating groups to determine their status as supporters of terrorism or potential terrorist organizations themselves.
‘We haven’t done this in a long time, so it’s – we’ve got a lot of catch-up to do. And you’ve mentioned a couple names, particularly the Muslim Brotherhood, that are of grave concern,’ Rubio also noted at the time. Several Middle Eastern governments have already moved against the group. Egypt and Jordan have banned the Muslim Brotherhood outright, while Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain have formally classified it as a terrorist organization.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has already certified both the MB and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as foreign terrorist organizations in the Lone Star State. Abbott noted that the goals of the groups were ‘to forcibly impose Sharia law and establish Islam’s ‘mastership of the world,’ and that the designation meant they were no longer ‘welcome’ in the state and were ‘prohibited from acquiring any real property interest in Texas.’
