WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced that he plans to formally designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a foreign terrorist organization, saying the move will be made “in the strongest and most powerful terms.” He told Just the News that “final documents are being drawn” to carry out the designation.
Trump’s comments come amid growing pressure from Republican lawmakers and national security advocates. Sen. Ted Cruz introduced the Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Act of 2025, which would require the State Department to designate the group under U.S. terrorism laws.
The idea of declaring the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organization has gained traction in conservative circles. Rep. Elise Stefanik voiced her support earlier this year, calling it “long overdue” for national security. White House adviser Sebastian Gorka, previously part of Trump’s national security staff, said in August that it was “high time” to make the designation, noting that several Arab nations already classify the Brotherhood as a terrorist threat.
The issue remains complex, as the Muslim Brotherhood is a global movement with many different branches — some of which are explicitly political, while others have been accused by authorities of supporting or inspiring more radical Islamist groups.
Outside the U.S., countries including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Jordan have already designated the Brotherhood or affiliated branches as terrorist organizations.
If formally designated by the U.S., the Muslim Brotherhood could face significant legal and financial restrictions: a terrorist-organization label under U.S. law typically prohibits material support, freezes assets, and makes it more difficult for its known members or affiliates to operate inside the United States.
