November 25, 2025 — Washington, D.C.
President Donald Trump confirmed that the administration is preparing the “final documents” required to formally designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization, a move that would mark one of the most sweeping U.S. counterterrorism actions in recent years.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said the process is in its final stages: “Final documents are being drawn. This will be done in the strongest and most powerful terms.” His remarks follow intensified warnings from security analysts and advocacy groups claiming that the Islamist organization has expanded its influence in the United States.
Executive Order Already in Motion
Earlier this week, the White House initiated the formal procedure to label specific chapters of the Muslim Brotherhood as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs).
The process requires a multi-agency review, including the State Department, Treasury Department, Justice Department, and U.S. intelligence agencies.
Officials have been directed to provide an evaluation within 30 days, followed by a 45-day window for action, including sanctions, asset freezes, and operational restrictions.
Administration’s Justification
The Trump administration argues that the Muslim Brotherhood operates as a transnational network with connections to extremist groups. According to statements from senior officials:
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Certain Brotherhood chapters allegedly collaborated with Hamas, Hezbollah, and other militant groups during recent regional conflicts.
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Leadership figures within the organization have reportedly issued calls for violence against U.S. partners in the Middle East.
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Intelligence assessments claim the group facilitates radicalization and destabilization efforts targeting Western institutions.
The White House says designating key Brotherhood chapters is necessary to protect U.S. national security and limit the organization’s global influence.
Growing Warnings of Influence Inside the U.S.
The move comes after several research institutes and policy organizations released reports warning that the Brotherhood has been gaining a foothold in American civic, academic, and political spaces.
One widely circulated analysis described a strategy aimed at “transforming Western society from within,” alleging that the group is actively involved in shaping discourse on university campuses and influencing community organizations.
These findings have been cited by supporters of the designation as evidence that federal action is overdue.
Political and Legal Reactions
The decision is expected to spark intense debate domestically and internationally:
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Supporters argue that the Brotherhood has long operated as an extremist umbrella network and poses a significant security threat.
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Critics warn that the designation could blur lines between political activism and terrorism, potentially affecting Muslim civil society groups in the U.S.
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Some civil rights organizations say they are preparing possible legal challenges if the designation is applied too broadly.
Several foreign governments are also watching closely, as the Muslim Brotherhood maintains political presence and affiliates in numerous countries across the Middle East and beyond.
What Comes Next
Over the next several weeks, federal agencies will finalize their review and determine which specific Brotherhood chapters will be designated.
If implemented, the ruling would trigger sanctions, financial restrictions, travel bans, and a range of enforcement measures aimed at cutting organizational influence.
The administration has called the effort a “critical step to counter Islamist extremism”, but opponents warn it could reshape U.S. foreign policy and affect diplomatic relations in the Middle East.
