Trump designates antifa as domestic terrorist organization in executive order

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Monday signed an executive order designating a decentralized movement known as antifa as a domestic terrorist organization, a move critics say could stretch the government’s tools while raising questions about the legal basis for such a designation. The White House released the order shortly after he departed for New York, where he planned to address the United Nations General Assembly.

Antifa is not a single organization but an umbrella for far-left militant groups that confront or resist neo-Nazis and white supremacists at demonstrations. It is a domestic entity, and therefore not eligible for inclusion on the State Department’s foreign terrorist organizations list. The designation matters in part because it could enable the Justice Department to prosecute those who provide material support to designated entities, even if that support does not result in violence. There is no domestic equivalent to that list, and no single domestic terrorism statute exists today. The executive order did not spell out how Trump would designate antifa as a domestic terrorist organization.

The executive order states that antifa uses illegal means to organize and execute a campaign of violence and terrorism nationwide to achieve its goal of overthrowing the U.S. government. It directs relevant government departments and agencies to use every authority to investigate, disrupt and dismantle any and all illegal operations, including terrorist actions conducted by antifa or anyone claiming to act on its behalf.

During his first term, Trump and members of his administration repeatedly pointed to antifa as a major source of violence at protests sparked by the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Then-Attorney General William Barr described “antifa-like tactics” by agitators and said such activity constituted domestic terrorism that would be addressed accordingly. Trump himself had previously called for antifa to be designated a terror organization after clashes in Portland, Ore.

In remarks to reporters in the Oval Office last week, Trump said a domestic terrorism designation for antifa would be pursued if the support of the attorney general and other Cabinet members were in place, adding that antifa is a terrible group. He had signaled in London during a state visit that such a designation would be forthcoming.

Legal scholars note that the move tests the limits of executive authority on domestic security and raises constitutional questions. Because antifa is not a single, centralized group, and because there is no domestic equivalent to the foreign-terrorist designation list, critics warn that broad use of such a designation could sweep in a wide range of actors and protest movements that operate under First Amendment protections. Supporters argue that the designation could blunt the ability of violent actors who claim to act on antifa’s behalf to access funding and logistical support.

The order’s practical effect remains uncertain, and administration officials have offered limited detail about implementation. It aligns with a broader White House emphasis on “law and order” messaging in the months ahead, while drawing scrutiny from lawmakers who warn that an overbroad interpretation of domestic terrorism power could impinge on civil liberties. Analysts say the coming weeks will reveal how agencies interpret and enforce the order, and whether Congress will weigh in with legislation to clarify or restrict the government’s powers in this area.