With ‘Trusted intelligence,’ Trump reinforces his position on the Brotherhood

U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated that the United States is preparing to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization, a decision that would mark a major shift in Washington’s counter-terrorism policy.

According to sources close to the administration, Trump’s position was reinforced by a recent analysis published in Mena Today, written by political commentator Ron Agam, who warned about the organization’s growing influence in Western institutions.

In his article, Agam stressed that “over the last decades, researchers have traced a deliberate Muslim Brotherhood project to penetrate Western institutions and weaken democratic societies from within.”
The piece gained significant attention among U.S. policymakers and conservative security circles.

The potential designation of the Muslim Brotherhood has been debated in Washington for years. Supporters of the move argue that the organization acts as an ideological incubator for extremist movements across the Middle East, despite its political branches attempting to present a more moderate public image.

Opponents contend that such a designation could complicate relations with several U.S. allies where Brotherhood-affiliated parties participate in public life.

People familiar with the situation say that Trump, known for relying on a broad network of advisers and regional experts, believes the available intelligence and research justify a tougher stance.

According to those around him, the former president “has access to reliable sources of information” and views the Muslim Brotherhood as a strategic threat due to its transnational structure and ideological reach.

If implemented, the decision would have wide implications for U.S. relations in the Middle East and North Africa, particularly with countries that have already banned the movement, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Governments that view the Brotherhood as a destabilizing force would likely welcome the move, while others may see it as a complication for their domestic political dynamics.

For now, Trump’s announcement reflects a broader trend toward reassessing the influence of Islamist political movements in Western democracies.