Trump Moves to Designate Muslim Brotherhood Chapters as Terrorist Organizations, Citing Hamas Links

President Trump signed an executive order directing a formal review of whether to designate specific national branches of the Muslim Brotherhood — namely chapters in Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt — as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs).

“The article says the subject is based in the United States and reports officials’ concerns that recent actions could impede relief organizations that serve millions abroad; it also notes anti‑Muslim activists have promoted a conspiracy that U”

Al Jazeera

The White House set a rapid timeline: aides must produce a joint report within 30 days and, if supported, officials are to take action within about 45 days to impose any designations or sanctions.

Al Jazeera

The administration framed the move as targeting a transnational network it says fuels terrorism and regional destabilization, and it cited alleged ties between Brotherhood-affiliated groups and Hamas in its public statements.

The executive order sets out an interagency process.

The Secretaries of State and the Treasury must consult with the Attorney General and the Director of National Intelligence and submit a joint report.

Al-Jazeera Net

Legal tools mentioned include the Foreign Terrorist Organization listing authorities (8 U.S.C. 1189) and the use of Executive Order 13224 for SDGT designations.

The SDGT label typically carries sanctions and asset-blocking authorities, while FTO listings carry criminal penalties for material support.

Officials were given short deadlines to complete the review and, if warranted, to impose measures thereafter.

The administration justified the review by citing alleged operational links between some Brotherhood chapters and militant groups, including claimed cooperation with Hamas and Hezbollah and accusations that a Lebanese chapter's armed wing joined rocket attacks into Israel after Oct. 7, 2023.

“The White House said President Trump could soon designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization, giving U”

BBC

A White House fact sheet and reporting cite statements and incidents—such as reported support from some Jordanian and Egyptian figures for militant actions—that the administration says demonstrate involvement in or facilitation of violence and regional destabilization.

Reactions and context varied across reporting.

Several sources note that Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Jordan have already outlawed the Brotherhood or its affiliates.

BNO News

Texas's governor has issued symbolic state-level designations, and reporters use these facts to frame Washington's move as aligning with some regional partners.

Coverage diverges on impact: Israeli and pro-designation outlets stress security and the chance to dismantle capabilities.

Alternative and regional outlets warn about legal obstacles, diplomatic fallout (for example with Qatar or Turkey, where affiliates operate legally), and the history of contested U.S. attempts to impose a global ban.

Several outlets flag uncertainties and hurdles.

“President Trump signed an executive order designating multiple chapters of the Muslim Brotherhood, a move hailed by Deputy Assistant to the President Sebastian Gorka on X as “history”

breitbart

Prior efforts to designate the Brotherhood in the Trump administration’s first term stalled amid legal objections because the Brotherhood is a decentralized movement with varied national branches and both political and social activities.

breitbart

Reporters note practical consequences if designations are made, including asset freezes, travel restrictions, and criminal penalties for material support under foreign terrorist organization rules.

They add that details—such as which specific groups would be listed, how U.S. law enforcement would implement changes, and how partners would respond—remain unclear or contested in the coverage.