Rubio: Process underway to label Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist group

The United States is actively reviewing whether to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization, Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed during a public discussion this week.

Responding to a question about why the Trump administration has not yet labeled the group, or the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), as terrorist entities, Rubio said the process was underway but required significant legal groundwork.

“Yeah, all of that is in the works, and obviously, there are different branches of the Muslim Brotherhood, so you’d have to designate each one of them,” Rubio said. “But… because these things are going to be challenged in court, right? Any group can say, ‘Well, I’m not really a terrorist – that organization is not a terrorist organization,’ so you have to show your work… like a math problem when you go before court.”

Rubio explained that the State Department must compile a detailed evidentiary record to justify the designation and withstand legal challenges. He stressed that failing to prepare adequately could result in federal judges issuing nationwide injunctions that block the decision.

“We are tied up in hundreds and hundreds of lawsuits of every kind. All you need is one federal judge – and there are plenty – that are willing to… try to run the country from the bench. So we’ve got to be so careful,” he said.

Without offering specific timelines or case details, Rubio indicated that the administration is engaged in a broad review of potential designations. “We are constantly reviewing for groups to designate for what they are: supporters of terrorists, maybe terrorists themselves… You’ve mentioned a couple names, particularly the Muslim Brotherhood, that are of grave concern,” he said.