Trump begins process of designating Muslim Brotherhood chapters as terrorists

• The order requires action on any proposed designations within 45 days.
• US claims its ‘transnational network’ behind regional instability.
• Seeks reconsideration of the designation of the group’s branches in Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan.

US President Donald Trump on Monday began the process of designating some Muslim Brotherhood chapters as foreign terrorist organizations and designated global terrorists, a move that would sanction one of the Arab world’s oldest and most powerful movements.

Trump signed an executive order directing Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessett to submit a report on whether to designate Muslim Brotherhood funds such as those in Lebanon, Egypt and Jordan, according to a White House briefing.

Directs the secretaries to proceed with any appointments within 45 days of the report.

The Trump administration has accused Muslim Brotherhood factions in those countries of supporting or encouraging violent attacks against Israel and US partners, or of providing material support to the Palestinian group Hamas.

“President Trump is confronting the Muslim Brotherhood’s transnational network, which fuels terrorism and destabilization campaigns against US and allied interests in the Middle East,” according to the briefing.

Republicans and right-wing voices have long supported and considered terrorist designations for the Muslim Brotherhood.

The Republican president made a similar effort during his first term. Months into his second term, Rubio said the Trump administration was working to designate the movement as a terrorist organization.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, also a Republican, last week imposed the same designation on the Muslim Brotherhood at the state level.

The Brotherhood was founded in Egypt in the 1920s as a religio-political movement to counter the spread of secular and nationalist ideas. It quickly spread to Muslim countries, becoming a major player but often operating in secret.