President Donald Trump said the Muslim Brotherhood may pose a greater danger than communists, as U.S. agencies have designated three branches of the movement under separate counterterrorism authorities.
In a Nov. 12 interview with radio host Hugh Hewitt, Trump was asked to compare the danger from communists with that from the Brotherhood. He said both were dangerous, then added, “I think right now, the Muslim Brotherhood might be more dangerous.”
On Jan. 13, 2026, the U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury) designated the Egyptian and Jordanian branches as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs). The U.S. Department of State (State) designated Lebanon’s al-Jamaa al-Islamiyah as both a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and an SDGT.
The Nov. 24, 2025, executive order directed officials to consider designations for certain branches. It began a review; the later agency actions made the designations. The order traces the movement to Egypt in 1928 and says U.S. policy seeks to deny resources to branches that are designated.
Treasury says property belonging to designated or blocked persons must be blocked when it is in the United States or controlled by U.S. persons. Transactions by U.S. persons, or within or through the United States, involving blocked property are generally prohibited unless licensed or exempt.
The 2026 U.S. Counterterrorism Strategy says the administration intends to designate additional Muslim Brotherhood branches. It provides no date for the next designation.
