Franks Denounces Obama Administration for Engaging Muslim Brotherhood

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                     Contact: Ben Carnes or Kate Middleton July 1, 2011                                                                                                                              (202) 225-4575 _____________________________________________________________________________________

WASHINGTON D.C. – Following remarks made by Secretary of State Hilary Clinton that the Obama Administration is now pursuing a policy of “limited contacts” with Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood, Rep. Trent Franks (AZ-02), a member of the House Committee on Armed Services, today denounced this policy of engaging an “extremely violent Islamic fundamentalist group” saying:

“It is unfathomable that this Administration is reaching out to an extremely violent Islamic fundamentalist group, the Muslim Brotherhood: a group whose "Supreme Leader," Mohammed Badei, declared holy war or "jihad" on the U.S. and Israel just last October.  The Muslim Brotherhood has decades of violent history covertly operating in the United States, and is recognized by experts as having 100 times more active members than Al-Qaeda.  The Muslim Brotherhood membership includes designated terrorist organizations, like Hamas. 

 

“I am gravely concerned to say the least that the Muslim Brotherhood is using their cover organization, "The Freedom and Justice Party," as a vehicle to contest 50% of Egypt's parliamentary seats.   The Administration is fooling themselves as well as placing the United States and Israel in severe danger if they fail to recognize the fallout that would stem from the Muslim Brotherhood gaining significant and newfound influence in Egyptian policies following the September elections.

 

“It is vitally important to our national security and the sanctity of Israel to prevent the Muslim Brotherhood from gaining further ground in Egypt, the U.S., and around the world, no matter the false labels and promises of non-violence they are conveniently espousing this moment.

 

“Meanwhile, the Obama Justice Department has decided to cease the prosecution of the Muslim Brotherhood’s U.S. based front groups, identified as unindicted coconspirators in the Holy Land Foundation case - the largest terrorism finance case in U.S. history. 

 

“I am calling on Secretary Clinton and the Administration to abandon this reckless course of engagement with an enemy that has called for not only America's destruction but the destruction of our most trusted ally in the region. The Muslim Brotherhood's declaration of war against the United States is real and the Obama Administration is again asleep at the wheel, continuing a policy of self-destruction."