Democrat Senator Christopher Coons says declaring Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organization “would do more harm than good”

A Geller Report reader sent an email to Senator Christopher Coons (D-Delaware) asking him to support S.68, the Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Act of 2017. This is the idiotic response he sent to the reader.

“Although some members of the Muslim Brotherhood have been tied to acts of terrorism, the majority of its groups reject the use of violence and some have agreed to participate peacefully in the governments of some of our North African and Middle Eastern allies.” But to what end? To work to undermine free governments and impose sharia. That’s the same goal that the terrorists have. The Muslim Brotherhood when it is peaceful is not tolerant, secular or pluralistic; it’s just working toward its goal by different means.

“As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, I am concerned that this bill would do more harm than good. It would likely alienate us from some of the countries with which we seek to partner in the fight against terrorism.” If they can be alienated by this, how reliable are they as allies? How much can the U.S. really depend upon them?

May 19, 2017

Thank you for contacting me about S.68, the Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Act of 2017. I appreciate your taking the time to contact me about this important issue.

The Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Act was introduced by Senator Ted Cruz in January 2017. This bill urges the Secretary of State, Attorney General, and Secretary of the Treasury to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a foreign terrorist organization. It also requires the Secretary of State, in consultation with the intelligence community, to submit a report to Congress on whether the Muslim Brotherhood meets the criteria for designation as a foreign terrorist organization.

The Muslim Brotherhood is a religious and political group that was founded in Egypt in 1928 and supports strict adherence to the rules of the Quran. Since its founding, the group has splintered into a variety of sub-groups with different goals and objectives. Although some members of the Muslim Brotherhood have been tied to acts of terrorism, the majority of its groups reject the use of violence and some have agreed to participate peacefully in the governments of some of our North African and Middle Eastern allies. As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, I am concerned that this bill would do more harm than good. It would likely alienate us from some of the countries with which we seek to partner in the fight against terrorism. Experts from both sides of the political aisle, including members of the intelligence community, have said that there is no basis for designating the Muslim Brotherhood. I will continue to study this issue closely in the Foreign Relations Committee. Should this bill come up for a vote in the full Senate, I will be sure to keep your views in mind.

Again, thank you for contacting me. I am honored to represent Delaware in the United States Senate and truly value hearing from Delawareans on issues of concern. My website, www.coons.senate.gov, can provide additional details about my work in the Senate, including legislation and state projects. I value your input and hope you will continue to keep me informed of the issues that matter to you.

Sincerely,
Christopher A. Coons
United States Senator