President Donald Trump’s executive order targeting Muslim Brotherhood chapters marks a pivotal shift in U.S. counterterrorism policy, setting the stage for a reevaluation of how Washington approaches Islamist movements. The order directs the State and Treasury departments to conduct formal assessments of Brotherhood chapters in Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon, redefining the U.S. strategy to distinguish between political and militant wings of such groups.
Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, a prominent supporter of the initiative, praised the move as essential for national security, emphasizing its role in combating global jihadist terrorism. He called for legislative action to further strengthen the designation process, including the advancement of his Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Act of 2025.
Washington’s long-standing debate over the Brotherhood’s structure—whether as a unified global entity or a fragmented network of varying militancy—has hindered previous designation efforts. Trump’s directive circumvents this debate, focusing on individual chapters that analysts argue already meet the criteria for legal designation. This approach, modeled after the 1997 designation of Hamas, targets entities with verifiable ties to terrorism rather than broad ideological branding.
The international response has been mixed. In the Arab world, the Brotherhood has been outlawed for years: Egypt banned it in 2013, citing radicalization and institutional threats. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Bahrain have also designated it as a national security risk. Jordan recently dissolved its chapter following weapons-related arrests, while Austria has taken legal action against Brotherhood-linked networks.
In contrast, the Brotherhood operates with relative freedom in the West, particularly in the U.S., where it functions through charities, advocacy centers, mosques, student associations, and community groups. This visibility has raised counterterrorism concerns, especially after a 2000 federal investigation revealed a Brotherhood memorandum outlining its long-term efforts to influence and weaken Western institutions from within.
A French government-commissioned report from earlier this year also highlighted the Brotherhood’s growing influence in the country, though no official ban has been enacted. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu endorsed Trump’s action, labeling the group a threat to Middle East stability and indicating Israel’s intent to expand its own restrictions.
Avner Golov of Mind Israel called for additional measures by the U.S. to curtail foreign influence in academia, condition arms deals on behavioral changes, and close loopholes exploited by extremist-linked organizations. As the State and Treasury departments begin compiling evidence, officials stress that the process aims for targeted legal action rather than a blanket ban. Analysts suggest the outcome will significantly shape how the U.S. addresses a movement banned in the Middle East yet still active in Western societies.