Washington D.C. – Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth recently offered a non-verbal affirmation regarding the potential designation of the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization, a gesture that has quickly drawn attention and reignited a long-standing debate within U.S. policy circles. The incident, captured in a tweet by Eyal Yakoby, stated, > "BREAKING: When asked if the Muslim Brotherhood should be designated as a terrorist organization, Secretary Hegseth reacts with a thumbs up." This public display comes shortly after Hegseth's narrow confirmation as Secretary of Defense.
Hegseth, a former Fox News host and Army National Guard veteran, was confirmed as the 29th Secretary of Defense on January 25, 2025, following a contentious Senate vote that required Vice President JD Vance to cast a tie-breaking vote. His appointment has been met with scrutiny, and his recent "thumbs up" reaction underscores the administration's potential stance on the Muslim Brotherhood, an organization whose status has been a point of contention for years.
The debate over designating the Muslim Brotherhood as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) is complex. Proponents argue that elements within the Brotherhood or groups affiliated with it, such as Hamas, have engaged in or supported terrorist activities. They point to instances where individual leaders or specific branches have been designated as terrorists by the U.S. or other nations.
Conversely, opponents of the designation emphasize that the Muslim Brotherhood is a broad, transnational movement with varied political and social wings, many of which have renounced violence and participate in democratic processes in several countries. Designating the entire organization could strain diplomatic relations with allies where Brotherhood-aligned parties are recognized, including Turkey, Jordan, and Tunisia. Past U.S. administrations have examined the issue but refrained from a blanket FTO designation, citing legal and policy objections from departments like the Pentagon and State Department.
The implications of such a designation would be far-reaching, potentially reshaping U.S. policy toward political Islam and impacting Brotherhood-aligned parties across North Africa and the Middle East. Secretary Hegseth's visible support for the designation suggests a renewed push from within the current administration to classify the group, signaling a potential shift in U.S. foreign policy regarding the controversial organization.