Staff Reports
In a decisive move that showcases a return to robust foreign policy leadership, President Donald Trump has reinstated the Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), effectively reversing one of the more disastrous decisions made during Joe Biden’s presidency. While the Biden administration preferred a hand-wringing approach that favored appeasement and misguided humanitarian concerns, Trump steps back into the fray with a clear intention: to restore order and security to a region that has been left vulnerable.
Back in 2021, the Biden administration made headlines when it unceremoniously yanked the terrorist designation from the Houthis, a group with a long history of hostility and aggression. This ill-conceived decision was justified with the argument that labeling an organization as a terrorist group would impede necessary humanitarian aid. However, rather than assisting the Yemeni people, this move allowed the Houthis to ramp up their military assaults, particularly targeting civilian and military vessels in the strategically vital Red Sea. Meanwhile, Biden’s attempt to mitigate issues on the fly—by only partially reinstating the designation under the weaker Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) status—failed to deter the group’s malfeasance.
Trump re-designates Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization
No more USAID for anyone who's made payments to Houthis either pic.twitter.com/nl0H3CQ5Me
— top5 (@t_o_p_5_) January 23, 2025
Trump’s new executive order takes a more aggressive stance, immediately reinstating the full FTO designation on the Houthis, thus severely limiting external aid that would bolster their operations. The former president’s directive to incoming Secretary of State Marco Rubio leaves little room for delay, demanding the completion of the designation process within a swift 15-day window. This action not only targets the Houthis but also sends a strong message to Iran, which remains the group’s primary supporter. By choking off funds and support for the Houthis, Trump aims to ensure that only their Iranian backers can provide assistance, effectively isolating the terrorists from any additional resources.
This renewed focus on firm measures signals a stark departure from the previous administration’s hesitancy and passivity. Under Biden, the Houthis managed to launch upwards of 100 attacks on commercial vessels and U.S. Navy ships, which raised alarm bells across military and diplomatic channels. Trump’s team argues that the previous administration’s approach was not only too lenient but also emboldened the Houthis to extend their military reach, putting both American interests and allies at risk.
The contrasting implications of the FTO and SDGT designations are critical to understanding the legal framework at play. While both designations serve to label organizations as terrorist entities, the FTO status includes a host of stringent penalties that go far beyond mere financial restrictions. By criminalizing support for the Houthis and imposing travel bans, an FTO designation provides law enforcement with greater tools and authority to counteract terrorism financing and recruitment efforts.
Furthermore, Trump’s decisive action is not just an anti-Houthi measure; it represents a broader strategy to normalize relations with key allies like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, relationships that were severely frayed during Biden’s tenure. While some humanitarian organizations may decry these moves as overly aggressive, the reality is that Trump is prioritizing the safety and stability of the region over performative concern for a group that has demonstrated a blatant disregard for civilian lives. In reclaiming a strong stance against the Houthis, Trump signals a renewed commitment to American allies and a promise to confront threats head-on instead of watching the Middle East descend further into chaos.
