• Trump orders Muslim Brotherhood chapters in Egypt, Lebanon, and Jordan to be considered terrorist organizations.
• The designation aims to impose economic sanctions and travel bans.
• The move is backed by accusations of connections to Hamas and destabilization activities.
• Texas Governor Abbott recently classified the group as a terrorist organization at the state level.
• The Muslim Brotherhood is banned in several countries, including Egypt and Jordan.

U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to initiate the process of designating certain chapters of the Muslim Brotherhood, specifically in Egypt, Lebanon, and Jordan, as foreign terrorist organizations. This action comes amid escalating tensions in the region and accusations against these groups for their alleged support of the militant organization Hamas and for engaging in "destabilization campaigns" that jeopardize U.S. interests. The White House stated, "President Trump is confronting the Muslim Brotherhood’s transnational network, which fuels terrorism and destabilization campaigns against U.S. interests and allies in the Middle East," according to Al Jazeera.

The executive order tasks Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent with compiling a report within 30 days to assess whether the chapters should be designated as terrorists. Following this report, the administration has 45 days to take action. If designated, it would become illegal to provide any form of support to these organizations, leading to potential economic sanctions and travel restrictions for their members, according to CBS News and Reuters.

The Trump administration's move reflects a long-standing demand among U.S. right-wing activists to categorize the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization. In addition to the national effort, last week, Texas Governor Greg Abbott classified both the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as foreign terrorist organizations, which has prompted legal challenges from advocates within the Muslim community, as reported by BBC and India Times.

The Muslim Brotherhood, founded in Egypt nearly a century ago, has evolved into a significant political movement across various Middle Eastern nations, though it has faced significant crackdowns. While some affiliated groups have renounced violence, the organization's controversial reputation persists, as noted by CBS News and India Times.

In Jordan, the government previously banned the group earlier this year, citing accusations of plotting destabilizing activities. The Muslim Brotherhood remains a contentious entity in various nations, with its leaders often opposing accusations of militant affiliations. The recent push for designating its chapters reflects ongoing geopolitical tensions and the U.S. administration’s focus on countering groups they view as threats, according to BBC and Reuters.