The White House has announced a new executive order aimed at designating certain chapters of the Muslim Brotherhood as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs). President Donald J. Trump signed the order on November 24, 2025, citing threats posed by the group’s regional branches to U.S. citizens, allies, and national interests.
According to the order, the Muslim Brotherhood’s chapters in Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon have been directly involved in violent activities, including support for militant groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah. The White House highlighted the Lebanese chapter’s collaboration with Hamas and Hezbollah during and after the October 7, 2023, attacks, as well as calls for violence by senior Brotherhood leaders in Egypt.
Under the directive, the U.S. Secretary of State and the Treasury Secretary must submit a joint report within 30 days recommending which Brotherhood chapters should be formally designated under U.S. counterterrorism laws. Formal actions to impose sanctions—including asset freezes and travel restrictions—are expected within 45 days after that report is submitted.
The order reaffirms Washington’s policy of coordinating with regional partners to dismantle the operations and financial networks of groups deemed threats to American and allied security.
The administration emphasized that the order does not alter existing legal authorities or create enforceable rights for individuals but sets in motion a process to expand U.S. counterterrorism measures in the Middle East.
