A Small but Growing Faction of Democrats Support Designating Muslim Brotherhood as Terrorist Group
Several Democratic lawmakers have signed onto legislation aimed at branding the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organization, a development that has garnered backing from President Donald Trump. The bills, which include co-sponsors like Senators Ted Cruz and Mario Diaz-Balart, are part of efforts to combat extremist networks in the Middle East.
Among those who have expressed support for the measure is Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Representative Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey, Representative Greg Landsman of Ohio, Representative Jared Moskowitz of Florida, and Representative Tom Suozzi of New York. These lawmakers join a handful of other Democrats in backing the "Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Act of 2025."
The move is part of Trump's efforts to counter the Muslim Brotherhood, which was designated as a terrorist group by Texas Governor Greg Abbott earlier this month. The administration claims that designating certain chapters of the organization as foreign terrorist organizations will help disrupt financial networks and recruitment activities connected to its affiliates.
However, critics argue that labeling the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist group is an overreach, given the organization's long history as a peaceful civil rights group in Egypt. Critics also point out that some Muslim Brotherhood chapters have been designated as terrorist organizations by other countries, including Bahrain, Egypt, Austria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and France.
The bill has sparked concerns among Democrats about the potential consequences of such designations, with some lawmakers questioning whether it will lead to increased Islamophobia and anti-Muslim sentiment. Despite these reservations, several Democratic lawmakers have expressed support for the measure, citing the organization's documented history of promoting extremist ideologies and supporting terrorist activities through various affiliates.
As the bill moves forward, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent are expected to report on potential designations of Muslim Brotherhood chapters in countries like Egypt, Lebanon, and Jordan within the next 45 days.
Several Democratic lawmakers have signed onto legislation aimed at branding the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organization, a development that has garnered backing from President Donald Trump. The bills, which include co-sponsors like Senators Ted Cruz and Mario Diaz-Balart, are part of efforts to combat extremist networks in the Middle East.
Among those who have expressed support for the measure is Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Representative Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey, Representative Greg Landsman of Ohio, Representative Jared Moskowitz of Florida, and Representative Tom Suozzi of New York. These lawmakers join a handful of other Democrats in backing the "Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Act of 2025."
The move is part of Trump's efforts to counter the Muslim Brotherhood, which was designated as a terrorist group by Texas Governor Greg Abbott earlier this month. The administration claims that designating certain chapters of the organization as foreign terrorist organizations will help disrupt financial networks and recruitment activities connected to its affiliates.
However, critics argue that labeling the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist group is an overreach, given the organization's long history as a peaceful civil rights group in Egypt. Critics also point out that some Muslim Brotherhood chapters have been designated as terrorist organizations by other countries, including Bahrain, Egypt, Austria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and France.
The bill has sparked concerns among Democrats about the potential consequences of such designations, with some lawmakers questioning whether it will lead to increased Islamophobia and anti-Muslim sentiment. Despite these reservations, several Democratic lawmakers have expressed support for the measure, citing the organization's documented history of promoting extremist ideologies and supporting terrorist activities through various affiliates.
As the bill moves forward, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent are expected to report on potential designations of Muslim Brotherhood chapters in countries like Egypt, Lebanon, and Jordan within the next 45 days.