U.S. Lawmakers Push to Label Muslim Brotherhood a Terrorist Group

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Washington, D.C. – August 3
A bipartisan group in the U.S. Congress is advancing legislation to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), signalling a potential shift in American national security strategy.

The initiative follows a bill introduced in July by Republican Representative Mario Diaz-Balart and Democratic Representative Jared Moskowitz. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the proposal is currently under review.

Supporters argue that the Muslim Brotherhood, while operating under the guise of a political and social movement, has long influenced extremist groups such as Hamas and Al-Qaeda affiliates. Senator Ted Cruz, who backs the legislation, described the Brotherhood as “an ideological incubator for terrorism” and said the proposed designation is a “strategic necessity.”

Several organisations have endorsed the bill, including the Heritage Foundation, the Israeli-American Civic Action Network, and the American Mideast Coalition for Democracy. These groups contend that the Brotherhood maintains a dual image—presenting moderation publicly while supporting radical agendas in private.

A report by the Capitol Institute, a Washington-based think tank, suggests the Brotherhood operates through indirect avenues within the U.S., such as educational platforms and advocacy groups, which complicates monitoring efforts.

Founded in Egypt in 1928 by Hassan al-Banna, the Muslim Brotherhood originally sought to restore Islamic governance. Under the later influence of Sayyid Qutb, the group inspired a wave of radical ideologies that contributed to the emergence of groups like Al-Qaeda and ISIS.

According to the Capitol Institute’s analysis, several individuals connected to the Brotherhood have played roles in the ideological formation of known extremist figures. The organization is already banned in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Jordan due to national security concerns. European countries such as Germany, Austria, and Russia have also moved to restrict their presence.

While Hamas is already classified as a terrorist group by the U.S., analysts note that the broader Muslim Brotherhood network continues to operate through soft-power channels. The report concludes that countering these ideological foundations is essential to addressing long-term threats.