Antifa has been placed on the American list of foreign terrorist organizations by decision of Donald Trump. The left-wing movement, originating in Germany, is now under the scrutiny of security services.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he has designated Antifa as a terrorist organization. He also ordered an investigation into the individuals financing the activities of the anti-fascist movement.
“I am pleased to inform the numerous American Patriots that I am designating ANTIFA, THE SICK, DANGEROUS, RADICAL LEFT-WING DISASTER, AS A MAJOR TERRORIST ORGANIZATION. I will also strongly recommend a thorough investigation of those financing ANTIFA, in line with the highest legal standards and practices,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social. His post was published late at night U.K. time, where the U.S. president is currently on a visit.
The president had already signaled earlier that he supported this step, announcing actions against left-wing organizations, which he blames for promoting political violence and for the murder of activist Charlie Kirk.
An Organization Without Clear Structure
During his first term, Trump had planned a similar move following the anti-police riots after the death of George Floyd, but ultimately did not carry it out. This was partly due to resistance within the administration, including from then-FBI Director Christopher Wray. Wray argued that no domestic organization could be designated as terrorist, since that would violate the constitutional freedoms of its members.
Critics have also pointed out that Antifa, the anti-fascist movement originating in Germany, is not a classic organization but rather a loose collection of different groups without a central structure or leadership.
It is unclear what Trump’s announcement means in practice, since U.S. law does not recognize a formal category of “major terrorist organization,” but only “foreign terrorist organizations” (FTOs). Being placed on the FTO list grants U.S. authorities broader powers to prosecute members of such groups—including outside the United States—for supporting their activities or financing them.