In a significant move on international policy, former U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday, marking several chapters of the Muslim Brotherhood in Lebanon, Jordan, and Egypt as foreign terrorist organizations. This marks a continuation of Trump’s assertive approach towards foreign entities perceived as threats to U.S. national security.
Trump’s decision stems from claims that the Lebanese branch of the Muslim Brotherhood collaborated with groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and other Palestinian factions to conduct rocket attacks against Israeli targets. These allegations come in the wake of escalated violence following the October 7, 2023, incident. Trump further accused a senior figure from the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood of inciting violence against U.S. allies, while highlighting the Jordanian Brotherhood’s alleged support for Hamas’s militant activities.
The authority to designate an organization as terrorist is derived from 8 USC 1189, which empowers the administration to make such designations if the entity is deemed a threat to U.S. national security or U.S. nationals. In addition, Trump invoked 50 USC 1701, known as the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which allows presidential action in response to extraordinary foreign threats. This legal framework is complemented by Executive Order 13224, initiated by President George W. Bush, granting the power to block assets of groups involved in or posing a threat of terrorism.
The stance against the Muslim Brotherhood aligns with actions taken at the state level. For instance, Texas Governor Greg Abbott recently classified both the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations as terrorist organizations under Texas law.
This executive order is poised to affect U.S. relations with Middle Eastern nations where the Muslim Brotherhood holds influence. The move has sparked debates over its potential implications on diplomatic relations and the wider geopolitical landscape. More details can be found about this decision and its ramifications on the official reporting.
The designation of these organizations reflects ongoing concerns about global terrorism and the strategic measures governments may employ to address perceived threats to national security.