Trump Signs Order Designating Muslim Brotherhood Chapters as Terrorists

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on October 9, 2023, that initiates the process of designating chapters of the Muslim Brotherhood in Lebanon, Jordan, and Egypt as foreign terrorist organizations. This action follows recent escalations in violence in the region, specifically related to the conflict involving Israel and Palestinian factions.

In justifying the order, Trump pointed to the involvement of the Lebanese chapter of the Muslim Brotherhood in coordinated attacks with Hamas and Hezbollah. He claimed that these groups launched multiple rocket attacks targeting both civilian and military sites in Israel after the events of October 7, 2023. The President also alleged that a senior leader of the Egyptian chapter called for violent actions against US partners and interests on the same day. Furthermore, he accused Jordanian Muslim Brotherhood leaders of providing material support to Hamas’s militant operations.

The authority for this designation comes from the Immigration and Nationality Act, specifically 8 USC 1189. This legislation allows the President to classify an organization as a terrorist entity if its activities threaten the security of US nationals or the country’s national security. Trump also invoked the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 USC 1701), which empowers the President to act in response to extraordinary threats that originate outside the United States.

In addition, Trump referenced Executive Order 13224, originally established by former President George W. Bush. This order enables the President to designate and block the assets of foreign individuals and organizations involved in terrorist activities or posing significant risks of such actions.

On a state level, Texas Governor Greg Abbott took similar measures, designating the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations as terrorist organizations under Texas law on November 18, 2022. This state-level action aligns with the federal government’s recent efforts to address perceived threats from these organizations.

This executive order represents a significant escalation in the US government’s approach to the Muslim Brotherhood, reflecting ongoing concerns about its influence in the Middle East and its potential connections to violent extremist activities. The implications of this designation could lead to increased scrutiny and potential sanctions against the groups involved, as well as their affiliates in the region.

As the situation develops, the international community will be observing closely to understand the broader consequences of these actions on US foreign policy and relations with Middle Eastern nations.