Cruz Proposes Law Cracking Down on The Muslim Brotherhood

Senator Ted Cruz is pushing a new bill to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist group. Backed by GOP allies and modeled on past strategies against Iran’s IRGC, the bill calls for broad U.S. action aligned with Arab nations that already view the group as a threat.

Key Facts:

Senator Ted Cruz is introducing the Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Act of 2025.
The bill takes a “bottom-up” approach to identifying terrorist-linked branches of the group.
Several GOP senators, including Rick Scott and Tom Cotton, have signed on in support.
Arab countries like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan have already designated the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio would have 90 days to catalog and report on global Brotherhood branches if the bill passes.

The Rest of The Story:

The proposed legislation marks the latest in a long line of U.S. attempts to officially label the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization.

Previous bills have failed largely because not all of the Brotherhood’s branches are currently violent, making it difficult to meet U.S. criteria for designation.

Cruz’s new plan addresses this by asking the State Department to assess and catalog each branch individually and designate those that meet the legal threshold.

The bill offers three paths to formal designation: under the 1987 Anti-Terrorism Act, through the State Department’s terrorist list, and as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) entity.

If passed, the law would create a primary embargo, blocking Americans from doing business with the group.

Cruz’s office noted that this effort mirrors former President Donald Trump’s successful 2017 move against Iran’s IRGC.

Foreign allies are reportedly ready to support the U.S. action, with one Middle Eastern official saying such a move would be welcomed by nations that have already banned the Brotherhood.

The Muslim Brotherhood preaches death to Israel, the United States, and other western governments.

These are the statements of a terrorist group, and they should be labeled as such. Proud to support @SenTedCruz’s bill. https://t.co/s3ieU2i80a

— Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) July 15, 2025

Commentary:

This legislation is long overdue. The Muslim Brotherhood has been involved in destabilizing activities and violent extremism for decades.

Countries like Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE have already taken decisive action, recognizing the Brotherhood’s agenda as a national security threat.

It’s hard to justify why the United States—often the leader in counterterrorism efforts—has dragged its feet for so long. Senator Cruz is right to demand a bottom-up assessment.

The Brotherhood operates under a decentralized structure with many fronts and affiliated groups, making it easy for them to hide behind the claim that not all chapters are violent.

That’s a weak excuse when Hamas—openly recognized as a terrorist organization—is explicitly a “wing” of the Brotherhood, according to its own charter.

Even more disturbing is the Brotherhood’s ideological vision. They aim to replace secular governments with Islamic theocracies, reinstating a global caliphate governed by strict sharia law.

As one watchdog noted, their long-term goal is the downfall of the United States itself.

That’s not just rhetoric—it’s a clear threat. The U.S. must align its policies with its allies in the Middle East.

These are nations on the front lines of extremism who understand firsthand the danger posed by groups like the Brotherhood.

Their unanimous designations should be a wake-up call to Washington. Senator Marco Rubio, now serving as Secretary of State, has a crucial role to play.

If this bill passes, he must act quickly and without political hesitation. A comprehensive, transparent report within 90 days is essential to ensure accountability.

Additionally, financial sanctions are a powerful tool. Blocking Brotherhood-linked groups from accessing U.S. banks and services would deal a major blow to their global influence and operations.

This approach worked against Iran’s IRGC and can work again here. Congress has the authority—and the duty—to confront international terror threats.

The Muslim Brotherhood’s long history of radicalism makes it a prime candidate for designation.

It’s time for America to stop tolerating double standards and start protecting its citizens.

The Bottom Line:

Ted Cruz’s bill to designate the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organization reflects growing pressure for the U.S. to match the actions of Arab allies.

The bill proposes detailed steps to identify violent branches and enforce sanctions.

If passed, this legislation would be a major step toward shutting down one of the world’s oldest Islamist networks.

The responsibility will then fall to Secretary Rubio to act quickly and decisively.