Washington — Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to formally designate the left-wing anti-fascist movement known as Antifa as a “terrorist organization,” renewing his sharp attacks on the group he has long blamed for violent unrest in American cities.
Speaking at a campaign rally Thursday, Trump described Antifa as “a sick, dangerous, radical left disaster” and called it “a major terrorist organization.” The remarks mark his latest effort to link the loose, decentralized network of activists to violent protests and property destruction that erupted during his presidency.
Antifa, short for “anti-fascist,” has no centralized leadership or national structure. Supporters generally oppose far-right extremism and white nationalist groups, often through direct action. Civil liberties advocates have argued that labeling Antifa as a terrorist organization would raise serious legal and constitutional questions, given that it is not a formal group.
During his term in office, Trump frequently sought to brand Antifa as a domestic threat, especially after protests in 2020 following the police killing of George Floyd. The Justice Department and FBI at the time did not move forward with a designation, citing the lack of a coherent organizational structure.
Trump’s renewed pledge comes as he ramps up his campaign rhetoric ahead of the 2024 election cycle, seeking to portray Democrats and left-wing activists as threats to law and order.
Critics contend the move is more symbolic than practical, warning it risks criminalizing political dissent and inflaming tensions further.
