CAIR and Muslim Brotherhood: Terrorists or Not?

Experts Weigh In on Why — or Why Not — the Groups Should Be Designated Terrorist Organizations

A debate erupted among national security experts over Texas Governor Greg Abbott's November 2025 designation of CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist organizations, and President Trump's subsequent Executive Order targeting select Brotherhood chapters. Supporters argue the moves are long overdue, pointing to the Brotherhood's documented role in fueling extremist ideology worldwide, while critics warn that broad designations without clear evidence of domestic violence risk alienating Muslim communities whose cooperation is essential to effective counterterrorism. Legal challenges are already underway, and the coming months will test whether targeted, evidence-based designations can meet the rigorous legal standards that have traditionally governed U.S. counterterrorism policy.