TRUMP ADMINISTRATION LABELS MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD CHAPTERS AS ‘TERRORISTS’

Image Credentials: Image Title: TRUMP ADMINISTRATION LABELS MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD CHAPTERS AS ‘TERRORISTS’ Source: (sora.openai) Date: January 2026. Attribution: This image was created using AI-generated imagery (sora.openai) and does not depict a real-world scene.

By Open Chronicle Foreign Affairs Desk with Agencies

WASHINGTON — Tuesday, January 13, 2026 — In a major shift of Middle Eastern policy, the United States has officially designated the Muslim Brotherhood chapters in Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon as “terrorist organizations.” The move, announced today by the State Department, marks the beginning of what officials describe as a “sustained effort” to dismantle the group’s financial and operational networks across the Arab world.

The designations follow an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in November, which directed federal agencies to review the group’s activities under the lens of national security.

Cutting Off the Lifelines

Secretary of State Marco Rubio framed the decision as a necessary step to thwart regional instability. “These designations reflect the opening actions of an ongoing, sustained effort to thwart Muslim Brotherhood chapters’ violence and destabilization wherever it occurs,” Rubio stated on Tuesday.

By labeling these specific chapters as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs), the U.S. government can now:

• Freeze Assets: Effectively locking the groups out of the global financial system.

• Criminalize Support: Prohibiting any U.S. person or entity from providing “material support” or resources to the chapters.

• Restrict Travel: Denying visas and entry to members associated with these specific branches.

The Hamas Connection

A primary driver for the designation, according to the White House, is the group’s logistical and ideological support for Hamas. The Trump administration specifically cited the Egyptian and Jordanian chapters for their role in aiding the Palestinian resistance group, which has long been classified as a terrorist organization by the United States.

A Century of Influence

Founded in Egypt in 1928, the Muslim Brotherhood has spent nearly a century as a dominant political and social force in the Middle East. While some chapters have participated in democratic processes, others have been accused of fomenting radicalization.

The White House insists the new measures are aimed at curbing “operational capabilities” and addressing “threats they may pose to U.S. nationals.” However, critics warn that designating a group with such deep social roots could complicate diplomatic relations with Jordan and Lebanon, where the group maintains significant influence.

Summary of the Designation (January 2026)

As the State and Treasury departments begin the process of seizing assets, the geopolitical ripples are already being felt in Cairo, Amman, and Beirut. The Trump administration has signaled that this is only the “opening action” in a broader campaign to redefine U.S. engagement with political Islam in the region.