Trump Designates Antifa As 'Terrorist' Group After Charlie Kirk Assassination

U.S. President Donald Trump on September 17 announced that he was designating the left-wing, anti-fascist Antifa movement as a "terrorist" organisation, following the assassination of right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk.

Antifa — short for “anti-fascists” — refers to a loose network of far-left militant groups rather than a singular organisation. These groups typically mobilise against fascists and neo-Nazis, particularly during demonstrations.

How the administration intends to classify what is essentially a decentralised movement as a terrorist organisation remains unclear, and the White House did not immediately provide further details, AP reported.

Trump, currently on a state visit to the United Kingdom, made the declaration in a social media post shortly before 1:30 a.m. local time on Thursday. He described Antifa as a “SICK, DANGEROUS, RADICAL LEFT DISASTER” and added that he would be “strongly recommending” investigations into its alleged funders.

Trump’s former FBI director, Christopher Wray, testified in 2020 that Antifa was an ideology rather than an organisation, lacking the hierarchical structure usually required for such a designation under federal law.

After Trump’s post, Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.) welcomed the move, saying: “Antifa seized upon a movement of legitimate grievances to promote violence and anarchy, working against justice for all. The president is right to recognise the destructive role of Antifa by designating them domestic terrorists.”

In July 2019, Cassidy and Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) had introduced a Senate resolution condemning violent acts by Antifa and calling for the group to be designated a domestic terror organisation.

(with inputs from AP)