Trump moves to declare Muslim Brotherhood terrorist organization

The United States is preparing to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a foreign terrorist organization, with President Donald Trump announcing that final documentation is being completed for what he called a decisive action against the Islamist group. The potential terrorist designation for the Muslim Brotherhood represents one of the most significant US policy moves toward political Islam in recent years and could have substantial implications for Washington's relations across the Middle East and with allies like Türkiye.

Bipartisan Pressure in Congress

The move comes amid sustained pressure from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers who have urged the White House to take formal action against the organization. Key figures including Senator Ted Cruz of Texas and Florida Representatives Mario Diaz-Balart and Jared Moskowitz have previously introduced legislation demanding the terrorist designation. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had signaled in August that the administration was seriously considering this step, indicating the bureaucratic process was advancing.

Previous Considerations and State-Level Actions

This is not the first time the Trump administration has contemplated designating the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization. During his first term, President Trump floated the idea but ultimately did not proceed with formal designation. The current push follows Texas Governor Greg Abbott's recent announcement recognizing both the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as terrorist organizations at the state level, creating momentum for federal action.

Regional Implications and International Response

The potential designation carries significant geopolitical consequences, particularly for US relations with Muslim-majority countries where the Brotherhood has varying degrees of influence or acceptance. Nations like Türkiye, which maintains relations with Brotherhood-associated groups in certain contexts, could face diplomatic complications. The move would likely trigger widespread discussion among American allies about the boundaries between political Islam and terrorism, potentially reshaping Middle Eastern diplomacy during a period of already significant regional tension.