Just days after Texas Governor Greg Abbott labeled the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organization within the state, President Donald Trump announced plans to elevate the designation to the federal level.
The move has sparked questions: is this a legal formality, a political statement, or the start of a broader crackdown with international ramifications?
On November 23, Trump confirmed his intent to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a foreign terrorist organization, a process he first considered during his initial term. “It will be done in the strongest and most powerful terms,” he told Just the News, noting that final documents were being prepared.
During Trump’s first administration, the designation process began but was never completed, leaving the U.S. behind several countries—including Austria, Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Jordan—that have already banned or labeled the group as a terrorist organization. Jordan, for example, cited threats to national security, claiming members “operate in the dark” and disrupt societal stability.
Founded in Egypt in 1928 by Hassan al-Banna, the Muslim Brotherhood is one of the world’s oldest and most influential Islamist movements. Its long-term goal, according to George Washington University’s Program on Extremism, is a gradual Islamization of society that could lead to a fully Islamic political entity.
In the U.S., bipartisan efforts have sought a formal designation. In July, Representatives Mario Díaz-Balart (R-Fla.) and Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) introduced the Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Act of 2025, directing the president and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to use statutory authority to impose sanctions.
CAIR, also named by Abbott in his Texas proclamation, has rejected the claims and filed lawsuits against Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton, describing the actions as politically motivated and defamatory. CAIR maintains it is a civil rights organization dedicated to protecting American Muslims and promoting justice.
Conclusion
Trump’s planned federal designation represents a significant escalation in U.S. policy toward the Muslim Brotherhood. Supporters argue it strengthens national security and aligns with international measures, while opponents warn of legal battles, diplomatic tensions, and domestic controversies over civil rights and religious freedoms. How the administration implements these measures—and the challenges that follow—will shape the next chapter of this policy debate.