President Trump Signs Executive Order Launching the Designation Process for Certain Muslim Brotherhood Chapters

Washington, D.C. – November 24, 2025

U.S. President Donald Trump has taken a decisive step toward designating specific chapters of the Muslim Brotherhood as foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs) and specially designated global terrorists (SDGTs).

The move, formalised through an executive order, lays the groundwork for sweeping sanctions and travel bans affecting affiliated entities.

The order instructs the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Attorney General and the Director of National Intelligence, to submit a joint report within 30 days on whether specific Muslim Brotherhood chapters (e.g., those in Egypt, Lebanon, and Jordan) meet the criteria under U.S. law for FTO or SDGT designation.

After submission of that report, within 45 days, the relevant departments must act to designate the identified chapters and impose sanctions.

If designated, chapters would face asset freezes, travel bans, prohibition of U.S. persons providing material support, and other punitive measures under statutes such as the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1189) and the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.).

The White House fact sheet asserts that certain branches of the Muslim Brotherhood “engage in or facilitate and support violence and destabilization campaigns that harm U.S. nationals and interests.”

The administration argues the order is part of broader efforts to disrupt Islamist networks, counter extremist ideology, and protect U.S. partners in the Middle East particularly citing alleged links between the Brotherhood’s chapters and groups like Hamas.

Supporters of the order include Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and other congressional backers of the Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Act of 2025, who applaud the move as long overdue.

Foreign-policy think tanks such as FDD Action praised the decision as a “clear message” that the United States rejects extremist ideologies and will act decisively.

However, some analysts claim that designating the Muslim Brotherhood wholesale or large segments of it could backfire by driving affiliates underground, complicating engagement, and weakening moderate reform elements. These critics argue a more surgical approach may be wiser.

As a result, some chapters of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon are now under review for designation.

Once a chapter is designated, any U.S. person who provides “material support” can be criminally prosecuted, and the U.S. can freeze assets and block transactions.

U.S. allies and international partners will watch closely. The designations could strain U.S. relations with countries where Brotherhood-linked parties are legally active.

Domestically, the move may shift U.S. counter-terrorism priorities, signaling a tougher posture toward Islamist networks beyond traditional battlefield settings.