On Monday, President Donald Trump formally labeled specific branches of the Muslim Brotherhood in Lebanon, Jordan, and Egypt as foreign terrorist organizations and specially designated global terrorists. This move targets factions accused of inciting violence and contributing to regional instability, actions deemed harmful to both local populations and American interests abroad.
The decision was grounded in executive authority granted by the U.S. Constitution and reinforced by federal statutes, notably the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
In his official statement, President Trump emphasized the evolution of the Muslim Brotherhood since its inception in Egypt in 1928, describing it as a sprawling international network implicated in violent activities across the Middle East and beyond.
The announcement referenced the events of October 7, 2023, when the Lebanese branch of the Brotherhood reportedly collaborated with Hamas, Hezbollah, and other Palestinian groups in orchestrating attacks on Israeli civilian and military targets. Additionally, Trump highlighted statements from a senior Egyptian Brotherhood figure who allegedly incited aggression against U.S. allies, while Jordanian Brotherhood leaders were accused of aiding Hamas’s militant operations.
To follow through on the designation, the President instructed the Secretaries of State and the Treasury working in coordination with the Attorney General and the Director of National Intelligence to compile and deliver a comprehensive report within 30 days.
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