Move grants federal authorities expanded powers to investigate and prosecute
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
President Donald Trump on Monday signed an executive order designating Antifa a domestic terrorist organization, authorizing federal authorities to “utilize all applicable authorities to investigate, disrupt, and dismantle any and all illegal operations.”
The designation follows a series of violent incidents, including the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, and comes one week after the president was asked directly by The Center Square if he would take such action.
In the official order, the White House described Antifa as a “militarist, anarchist enterprise that explicitly calls for the overthrow of the United States Government, law enforcement authorities, and our system of law.” It added that the group uses “illegal means” to carry out “violence and terrorism nationwide” to advance its political goals.
According to the designation, Antifa has coordinated efforts to obstruct federal law enforcement, particularly immigration enforcement operations, through organized riots, violent assaults, and doxing of officers. Officials noted that many immigration personnel have resorted to masking their faces for protection.
“Antifa recruits, trains, and radicalizes young Americans to engage in this violence and suppression of political activity, then employs elaborate means and mechanisms to shield the identities of its operatives, conceal its funding sources and operations in an effort to frustrate law enforcement, and recruit additional members,” the order stated.
The White House further alleged that Antifa coordinates with other groups to spread political violence and suppress lawful speech, describing the effort as “domestic terrorism” intended to achieve policy objectives through coercion and intimidation.
The designation enables law enforcement agencies to pursue expanded investigations and prosecutions against Antifa affiliates, including individuals or entities providing financial support. Federal resources may now be used to dismantle the group’s operations and pursue criminal charges under terrorism-related statutes.
A White House fact sheet accompanying the announcement listed several violent incidents tied to Antifa, including a July ambush on an ICE facility in Alvarado, Texas, in which an officer was shot in the neck.
The Justice Department had previously labeled Antifa violence as domestic terrorism in May 2020. “The violence instigated and carried out by Antifa and other similar groups in connection with the rioting is domestic terrorism and will be treated accordingly,” the DOJ said at the time.
Speaking in the Oval Office on Sept. 15, Trump said he would consider designating additional groups but declined to identify them by name. He also confirmed discussions with Attorney General Pam Bondi about bringing potential federal RICO charges against certain organizations and their donors.