Donald Trump has begun the process of banning the Muslim Brotherhood. The US President asked his officials last week to investigate whether certain chapters of the group should be classed as foreign terrorist organisations, which would result in economic and travel sanctions.

Some are portrayed this as a reckless lurch into Islamophobia. In fact, it is overdue by at least a decade. The Muslim Brotherhood is not a benign religious association. It is a disciplined ideological movement with a century-long record of exploiting political systems.Its explicit objective is to work towards the establishment of a global caliphate – only by gradualist means, rather than the reckless confrontation and brutality favoured by its distant offshoot, Isis.

Its approach varies by setting, not by moral principle. Where the environment is permissive – in fractured states, or in countries with weak institutions or sympathetic governments – it behaves like a revolutionary vanguard. Where the environment is rules-bound and resistant, it burrows into student groups, charities, interfaith organisations, academic centres and even government institutions, steadily strengthening its influence. But wherever it operates it has the same ultimate aim.

The Brotherhood’s modus operandi has been understood by intelligence services for years. Trump’s move is less a policy innovation than an admission of reality.

There are several reasons why Trump is acting now. One is legislative: the ‘Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Act of 2025’ was introduced in Congress in July, championed in the House by Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart and in the Senate by Ted Cruz. The Act’s progress created a political incentive for Trump to get ahead of Congress and demonstrate leadership on the issue. The MuslimBrotherhood has piqued Republican........

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