Trump moves to designate some Muslim Brotherhood chapters as terrorists

President Trump on Monday started the process of designating certain Muslim Brotherhood chapters as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists.

Mr. Trump signed an executive order directing Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent to consider whether certain chapters of the Muslim Brotherhood should receive the terrorist designations.

He instructed Mr. Rubio and Mr. Bessent, in consultation with Attorney General Pam Bondi and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, to submit a report on specific Muslim Brotherhood chapters, including those in Lebanon, Egypt and Jordan.

He also mandated Mr. Rubio and Mr. Bessent to take action within 45 days after the report to make the terrorist designations if appropriate.

The designation would ban the chapters’ capabilities and operations in the U.S. and deprive them of resources in an effort to stop the threat they pose to Americans and the national security of the U.S.

The White House said the Muslim Brotherhood’s transnational network “fuels terrorism and destabilization campaigns against U.S. interests and allies in the Middle East.”

After the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attack on Israel, the military wing of the Lebanese chapter of the Muslim Brotherhood aided terror groups that launched multiple rocket attacks on Israel.

A senior Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood leader encouraged violent attacks against U.S. partners and equities in the Middle East on the same day as the Oct. 7 attack, and reports show Jordanian Muslim Brotherhood leaders have long provided material support to Hamas terrorists.

Mr. Trump previously enacted counterterrorism measures against other foreign organizations.

In January, he initiated the process to designate Ansar Allah, also known as the Houthis, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. In February, the State Department designated eight cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists, including Tren de Aragua and MS-13.

The White House said Mr. Trump also restricted the entry of non-immigrants from countries with a history of terrorism or other lawlessness, while ordering lethal strikes against “narco-terrorists to stop drugs from flooding into our country.”

Critics accuse Mr. Trump of discrimination in targeting certain countries and groups, as well as overstepping the limits of his power as commander in chief in ordering military strikes on alleged drug boats.

“This administration has deported hundreds of terrorist gang members and will never allow foreign terrorist enemies to operate on American soil and endanger our people,” the White House said. “With today’s Order, President Trump is once again taking steps to preserve international peace and stability and keep America safe.”