On Tuesday, November 25, 2025, President Trump signed a historic executive order directing Secretary of State Marco Rubio to formally classify the Muslim Brotherhood as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) under United States law. The decision marks one of the most consequential national security actions of his presidency and represents the culmination of years of Republican concerns regarding the extremist network’s influence, tactics, and global destabilization operations.
The move delivers on a long-standing promise supported by conservative lawmakers, national security experts, and Middle Eastern allies who have warned for decades that the Muslim Brotherhood operates as an ideological engine for extremist movements worldwide. With this executive directive, the Trump Administration takes a decisive step that previous administrations hesitated to take, either due to diplomatic caution or political unwillingness.
President Trump’s order mandates that Secretary Rubio initiate the full legal, diplomatic, and administrative process required for FTO designation, placing the Muslim Brotherhood in the same category as groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, ISIS, and Al Qaeda. Once the process concludes, the designation will carry significant legal and financial consequences for any individual, organization, or foreign actor that provides support to the Brotherhood or any of its affiliated entities.
This bold action reinforces the President’s commitment to restoring American strength abroad, protecting United States citizens at home, and rejecting the failed foreign policy doctrines of previous administrations.
A Long-Awaited National Security Action
The Muslim Brotherhood, founded in Egypt in 1928, has openly promoted the establishment of a global Islamic political system. Numerous intelligence assessments over the years have linked the Brotherhood to extremist indoctrination networks, terrorist financing pipelines, and radical militia groups operating throughout the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.
Several nations, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Syria, have already classified the organization as a terrorist entity. These governments have long asserted that the Brotherhood serves as the ideological incubator for violent jihadist movements.
For years, American allies in the Middle East urged the United States to recognize the threat formally. Previous administrations, however, declined to classify the group, citing diplomatic concerns or internal political resistance. President Trump’s decision finally aligns American policy with the assessments of these partner nations, strengthening international cooperation in the fight against radical extremism.
Secretary Rubio Tasked With Implementing the Designation
President Trump’s executive order specifically directs Secretary of State Marco Rubio to initiate, expedite, and finalize the FTO designation in accordance with the Immigration and Nationality Act. This includes:
• A full intelligence review
• Coordination with the Department of Defense and the Department of the Treasury
• Identification of affiliated foreign branches
• Preparation of the official designation documents
• Public notification to Congress
Secretary Rubio, a long-time advocate for strong American foreign policy, has repeatedly warned of the Muslim Brotherhood’s global reach and its connections to extremist groups. His leadership at the State Department positions him to carry out the President’s directive with precision and strategic clarity.
Implications of the FTO Classification
Once the Muslim Brotherhood receives the official designation, the consequences will be immediate and far-reaching:
Criminal Penalties
Material support for the organization will become a federal crime, including funding, training, or providing resources.
Asset Freezes
The United States Treasury will have the authority to freeze assets, block transactions, and cut off financial channels linked to the Brotherhood.
Diplomatic Restructuring
The designation will reshape United States foreign policy relationships with nations that host Brotherhood-affiliated political parties or non-governmental organizations.
Intelligence Cooperation
United States intelligence agencies will deepen collaboration with Middle Eastern allies already combating Brotherhood activities.
Domestic Monitoring
Any Brotherhood-linked networks operating within the United States will face heightened scrutiny under federal law.
These measures reinforce the President’s commitment to ensuring national security and preventing foreign extremist influence from gaining a foothold within American borders.
A Clear Contrast With Previous Policies
President Trump’s executive order stands in sharp contrast to the foreign policy approach pursued by prior administrations, which attempted to treat the Muslim Brotherhood as a legitimate political movement. That strategy resulted in instability across the Middle East, increased radicalization, and the empowerment of groups hostile to United States interests.
By taking decisive action, President Trump signals a strong commitment to a safer and more stable global environment. The move aligns with his broader vision of peace through strength, a principle consistently supported by conservative voters who value national sovereignty, security, and decisive leadership.
Strong Support From Conservative Leaders
Republican lawmakers immediately praised the executive order, emphasizing that the time for bold action had long passed. Many described President Trump’s decision as a correction to years of foreign policy hesitation and a vital step toward a safer world.
National security experts within conservative think tanks also highlighted the strategic importance of the designation. They noted that cutting off the Brotherhood’s political, financial, and propaganda networks is essential for countering radicalization.
International Reactions
Middle Eastern allies that have previously designated the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization responded favorably to President Trump’s executive order. These nations have long argued that the Brotherhood undermines stability through covert political operations and direct support for extremist groups.
The executive order is likely to lead to deeper partnerships between the United States and these governments in intelligence sharing, counterterrorism operations, and stabilization efforts across the region.
A Defining Moment In The Trump Presidency
President Trump’s action on November 25, 2025, will likely be remembered as one of the most transformative national security decisions of his presidency. By ordering the classification of the Muslim Brotherhood as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, he reinforces the United States commitment to defending freedom, defeating extremism, and supporting its loyal allies in the global fight against terrorism.
This executive order sends a clear message: under President Trump’s leadership, the United States will not tolerate extremist networks operating under the guise of political activism, nor will it allow foreign extremist ideologies to threaten American citizens or destabilize allied nations.
President Trump’s decision marks a turning point in American foreign policy and represents a firm step toward a safer and more secure future.
Featured image credit: DepositPhotos.com
