Trump Declares Antifa a ‘Domestic Terrorist Organization’/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump has signed an executive order designating the antifascist movement known as antifa a domestic terrorist organization. The White House claims the group poses a violent threat to public safety, but critics argue the move is unconstitutional. Legal experts and civil liberties groups highlight that antifa lacks the structure required for such a designation.
Antifa Terrorism Designation Quick Looks
- Executive Order Signed: President Trump officially designated antifa a domestic terrorist organization.
- Federal Crackdown: The entire federal government is ordered to dismantle alleged antifa operations.
- Legal Debate: Civil liberties groups say U.S. law prohibits domestic terror group designations.
- Definition Controversy: Antifa lacks a centralized structure or leadership, complicating legal classification.
- White House Remarks: Officials claim left-wing violence has been ignored for years.
- Critics Respond: Civil rights advocates accuse the Trump administration of politicizing federal power.
- No Response Yet: The White House did not comment on legality concerns raised by rights groups.
Deep Look: Trump Declares Antifa a Domestic Terrorist Organization
President Donald Trump signed an executive order declaring the antifascist movement known as antifa a “domestic terrorist organization.” This dramatic action follows the high-profile killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, and comes amid rising tensions over politically motivated violence in the U.S.
According to White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson, the move signals a coordinated federal response:
“The entire federal government will work together to investigate, disrupt, and dismantle all illegal operations conducted by antifa,” she said in a statement to Axios.
A Legally Controversial Move
Terrorist designations under U.S. law have traditionally been reserved for foreign organizations. Because antifa is not a formal group but rather a loosely organized, decentralized movement that identifies with far-left ideology, rights advocates argue that it cannot legally be labeled as a terrorist organization.
Critics emphasize that there is no existing legal mechanism that allows a sitting president to unilaterally classify domestic movements or entities as terrorist groups. Chip Gibbons, policy director for Defending Rights & Dissent, stated, “There is no law that allows the president to designate a domestic organization as terrorists.”
Likewise, the coalition Americans Against Government Censorship—comprised of progressive organizations and labor unions—highlighted that antifa is not a definable group under U.S. legal frameworks.
“Although antifa is frequently invoked in political rhetoric, it is not — under U.S. law — a distinct organization that can be legally designated as a terrorist group,” the group said in an emailed statement.
White House Justification
At a press briefing Monday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that the United States had experienced “a rise in violence” driven by antifa and other radical left-wing elements. The executive order accuses antifa of organizing riots, violent assaults on federal law enforcement, armed standoffs, and doxing of political opponents.
Jackson further described antifa as “a militarist, anarchist enterprise that uses violence and terrorism to try and accomplish their sick goals.” She accused Democratic lawmakers of enabling the group’s activities, stating that “Democrat politicians have tried to downplay” antifa’s “reign of terror.”
She added: “No more.”
Critics Warn of Constitutional Violations
Civil liberties advocates have sounded alarms about the implications of this executive order. They argue that labeling a decentralized political ideology as a terrorist group risks violating constitutional protections related to due process, freedom of speech, and freedom of association.
“There’s no legal basis or formal structure within antifa to justify such a designation,” said the Americans Against Government Censorship coalition. “Attempts to do so are unconstitutional and raise concerns about fundamental civil liberties.”
The group also accused the Trump administration of weaponizing government power to target political opponents: “This is not about safety. This is about silencing dissent.”
Broader Political Implications
While Trump’s executive order may appeal to segments of his political base that view antifa as a domestic threat, legal experts warn that the order could face significant challenges in court. The order’s lack of legal grounding and clear mechanisms for enforcement may undermine its legitimacy.
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