Trump Declares Antifa Domestic Terrorists: Why This Decision Is Unlikely to Lead to Action

On September 22, Donald Trump signed an executive order declaring Antifa a domestic terrorist organization and ordering federal agencies to take action against the anti-fascist movement, reports CNN.

The document accuses Antifa of organizing political violence, including riots, attacks on law enforcement, and the publication of personal information, with the goal of overthrowing the US government. The order requires all relevant federal agencies to "investigate, suppress, and eliminate" any illegal activity associated with Antifa or its supporters, including through criminal prosecution.

The effect of this order remains unclear. Trump promised to designate Antifa as a terrorist organization during his first term. Legal experts note that this move will likely face constitutional challenges.

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Antifa has no centralized structure or definitive leadership, and persecuting anyone who shares anti-fascist ideology would violate the First Amendment to the US Constitution. While the law prohibits providing "material support" to organizations officially designated by the government as foreign terrorist organizations, there is no similar law for domestic groups.

The order was one of the first major measures in Trump's promised campaign against the radical left, White House press secretary Caroline Leavitt said on September 22.

The president announced last week that he intends to designate Antifa as a terrorist organization following the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Leavitt made it clear that this would not be the end of the matter.

"Many Democrats in office have fallen completely under the sway of a radical faction of the far left who seek to dehumanize anyone they disagree with," Leavitt said, pointing to the Democrats who voted against the resolution honoring Kirk. "We must continue to expose this evil. It's the only way to heal the nation."

Moreover, at Kirk's funeral, Leavitt defended Trump's statement that he hates his political opponents. These words contradicted the position of Kirk himself and his widow, Erica Kirk, who forgave her husband's killer and called for fighting hatred with love.

"The president remains himself," Leavitt noted.

The name "Antifa" (short for "anti-fascists") is used to describe a broad group of people with leftist, often far-left, views that do not align with the Democratic Party platform. Unlike far-right militant groups like the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, Antifa has never had a leader, and the organization lacks a hierarchy or command structure.

While some local associations are well organized, the lack of a national structure will make it difficult for the administration to find leaders or sources of funding.

"I am pleased to announce to our many American Patriots that I have designated ANTIFA—THE SICK, DANGEROUS, RADICAL LEFT SCUM—as a MAJOR TERRORIST ORGANIZATION," Trump wrote on social media last week. "I will strongly recommend a thorough investigation of ANTIFA's funding sources in accordance with the highest legal standards and practices!"

Leavitt pointed out that the bullets recovered during the Kirk murder investigation were engraved with anti-fascist messages, such as "Hey, Fascist! Catch!" She listed a string of violent crimes that she said were "committed across the country by Antifa supporters, radicalized people."

“We first and foremost intend to find out who is funding this movement and other violent left-wing radical groups,” she clarified.

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The term "antifa" has its roots in the anti-fascist movements that opposed Italian dictator Benito Mussolini during World War II and then white supremacist and skinhead groups across Europe during the Cold War.

Trump's announcement that he intends to designate Antifa as a terrorist organization has raised concerns that the president may be overstepping his authority in his attempt to suppress a widespread left-wing protest movement.

Trump similarly proposed prosecuting Code Pink activists who protested against him during his recent visit to a restaurant in Washington.

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