Trump Designates Muslim Brotherhood as 'Foreign Terrorist Organization'

President Donald Trump announced Sunday he's preparing to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a "foreign terrorist organization," saying the move will use "the strongest and most powerful language" with final documents currently being prepared. This comes after mounting pressure from Republican lawmakers and follows Texas Governor Greg Abbott's recent decision to classify both the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as terrorist organizations at the state level.

Trump's announcement follows an investigation published by Just the News examining the Muslim Brotherhood's activities and growing concerns within his administration. The timing suggests the White House is moving quickly on an issue that has been building momentum in Republican circles for months.

Last week, Abbott took the unprecedented step of classifying the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR as "foreign terrorist organizations and transnational criminal organizations" in Texas. This marks the first time a U.S. state has taken such action, even as the federal government has yet to make this designation.

Abbott justified his decision by claiming both organizations aim to "impose Sharia law by force and establish Islamic dominance over the world." He directed the Texas Department of Public Safety to open criminal investigations into both groups, focusing on what he described as terrorist activities, violence, threats, and harassment.

The Texas governor's move also prohibits these organizations from owning property in the state. His office stated that these "extremists have no place in our state" and are now banned from acquiring any assets in Texas.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated in August that designating the Muslim Brotherhood as a foreign terrorist organization was "in preparation," but noted it's a lengthy and detailed process. The complexity stems from the need to examine numerous Brotherhood affiliates individually, each requiring separate evaluation.

Republican lawmakers in both the House and Senate, along with some Democrats, have been pushing the State Department to make this designation. In July, Texas Senator Ted Cruz and others introduced legislation to classify the Muslim Brotherhood as a foreign terrorist organization, pointing to the group's connection to Hamas and the October 7 attack that killed at least 53 Americans.

Representatives Mario Diaz-Balart and Jared Moskowitz have reintroduced the "Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Act" for 2025. They argue that the Brotherhood and its subsidiary organizations pose a threat to U.S. national security by exploiting American funds and Western systems to promote violence and instability.

The designation would have significant legal and financial implications. Organizations classified as foreign terrorist groups face asset freezes, and it becomes illegal for U.S. persons to provide material support to them. Banks and financial institutions would be required to freeze any accounts linked to designated groups.

But the process isn't straightforward. The Muslim Brotherhood operates through numerous affiliated organizations worldwide, and determining which entities fall under the umbrella requires extensive legal review. Some experts worry about potential overreach that could affect legitimate Islamic organizations in the U.S.

The move also carries diplomatic consequences. Several U.S. allies in the Middle East have complex relationships with Brotherhood-affiliated groups, and the designation could complicate regional partnerships and negotiations.