The U.S. Designates Muslim Brotherhood Branches in Lebanon, Jordan, and Egypt as 'Foreign Terrorist Organizations'

The U.S. government has designated three branches of the Muslim Brotherhood as 'foreign terrorist organizations.' President Donald Trump recently stated that this action is 'a vital step in safeguarding our national security.' Last November, President Trump signed an executive order directing the U.S. Treasury and State Departments to begin designating certain branches of this global Islamist movement as 'foreign terrorist organizations' and 'special global terrorists.' On Tuesday, January 13, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the designation of these groups. In a statement, Rubio said, 'Today, as the first step in supporting President Trump's commitment to eliminate the capabilities and operations of the branches of the Muslim Brotherhood that pose a threat to the United States – as outlined in Executive Order 14362 – the United States designates the branches of the Muslim Brotherhood in Lebanon, Jordan, and Egypt as terrorist organizations.' According to this statement, the Muslim Brotherhood in Lebanon has been designated as a 'foreign terrorist organization' and a 'special global terrorist,' with Muhammad Fawzi Taqoush, the leader of this group, designated as a 'special global terrorist.' The statement also noted that simultaneously, the Treasury Department designates the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and Jordan as 'special global terrorists' for providing material support to Hamas. Rubio stated, 'These designations represent initial steps in a sustained and ongoing effort to neutralize the violence and destabilization of the branches of the Muslim Brotherhood everywhere. The United States will use all available tools to deprive these branches of the Muslim Brotherhood of the resources necessary to engage in or support terrorism.' The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the Treasury Department also announced on Tuesday the imposition of economic sanctions against these three branches and Fawzi, the leader of the Lebanese group. According to the U.S. Treasury Department, the branches of the Muslim Brotherhood 'claim to be legitimate civil organizations, while behind the scenes, they openly and eagerly support terrorist groups like Hamas.' John K. Hurley, the U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, stated in a statement released on Tuesday, January 13, 'The Muslim Brotherhood has inspired, nurtured, and financed terrorist groups like Hamas; groups that pose direct threats to the security and safety of the American people and our allies.' He added, 'Despite the peaceful appearance they present to the public, both branches of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and Jordan have conspired to support Hamas terrorism and undermine the national sovereignty of their governments. This administration [President Trump's administration] will use all available tools to hold them accountable for the violence they have encouraged throughout the Middle East and the world in pursuit of their extremist version of Islam.' According to the U.S. Treasury Department, all assets and interests derived from the assets of sanctioned or blocked individuals that are in the United States or under the control of U.S. citizens must be blocked and reported to OFAC. The statement also mentioned that entities that are directly or indirectly, separately or collectively, owned 50 percent or more by one or more sanctioned individuals will also be blocked. In his executive order on November 24, Trump emphasized the role of the Muslim Brotherhood in violence throughout the Middle East, including missile attacks on Israel following the October 7 terrorist attack by the Palestinian group Hamas. The Muslim Brotherhood emerged nearly 100 years ago in Egypt and has affiliates in many Muslim countries, some of which, like Hamas, have been designated as terrorist organizations by the United States. Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates are among the countries that have previously designated the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization.