The announcement came after President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing his administration to begin the designation process. As a result, the US Treasury Department classified the Egyptian and Jordanian branches as ‘specially designated global terrorists,’ while the State Department applied the more severe label of ‘foreign terrorist organization’ to the Lebanese group.
US officials said the decision was based on alleged ties between Muslim Brotherhood-linked groups and Hamas, as well as what they described as activities undermining Israeli security. In a statement, the Treasury accused the Brotherhood of presenting itself as a civic movement while secretly backing armed groups.
The response from the Muslim Brotherhood was swift and defiant. Salah Abdel Haq, acting leader of the Egyptian branch, rejected the designation outright, calling it politically driven and unsupported by solid evidence. He said the group would ‘pursue all legal avenues’ to challenge the decision, arguing it harms millions of Muslims worldwide.
Abdel Haq also claimed the move was shaped by pressure from Israel and the United Arab Emirates, rather than a fair assessment of facts. ‘We deny any involvement in terrorism,’ he said, insisting the group supports peaceful political engagement.
The designations carry serious consequences. Under US law, providing material support to these groups is now illegal, their assets can be frozen, and financial channels tightly restricted.
The FTO label also bars members from entering the United States.Founded in 1928 in Egypt, the Muslim Brotherhood has long been a powerful and controversial force in Middle Eastern politics. While some governments accuse it of extremism, the group maintains it operates through legal political and social channels.
In Lebanon, the Brotherhood linked group al Jamaa al Islamiya holds seats in parliament and says it has operated openly for decades. In Jordan, the Brotherhood’s political wing won a significant number of parliamentary seats in 2024, despite the group later being banned by the government over alleged security concerns.
Egypt, which outlawed the Brotherhood after the 2013 military takeover, welcomed Washington’s move. Its foreign ministry described the designation as a ‘pivotal step’ toward regional stability.
The impact is also being felt inside the United States. Following Trump’s order, Republican governors in Texas and Florida labeled the Muslim civil rights group CAIR as a terrorist organization. CAIR strongly denies any links to the Brotherhood and has filed lawsuits in response.
As tensions rise, critics warn the decision could deepen divisions, while supporters say it sends a clear message. Either way, the move marks a turning point in how Washington approaches political Islam and its ripple effects are only beginning to show.
