White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt provided an update Monday afternoon on President Donald Trump’s efforts to target antifa.
Antifa, short for “anti-fascist,” refers to a loosely connected network of far-left activists who oppose fascism, white supremacists, and neo-Nazis. The movement is more ideological than organizational, though some adherents have adopted militant tactics.
Addressing a question about holding antifa “accountable,” Leavitt said, “This is something the president campaigned on because we have seen a rise in violence perpetuated by antifa radical people across this country who subscribe to this group.”
Leavitt cited several violent incidents allegedly involving antifa members, describing the group and other left-wing organizations as a “serious threat to American safety.” She added, “We will be most importantly looking at who is funding antifa and who is funding these other violent left-wing groups.”
Later Monday, Trump signed an executive order declaring antifa a domestic terror organization. “The president intends to sign that executive order as soon as it’s drafted, as soon as later this afternoon,” she said.
Why It Matters
Trump’s designation of antifa as a terrorist movement comes amid debate over the September 10 killing of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, which the president attributed to “fanatical leftists.”
Utah investigators reported finding a bullet casing from the shooting inscribed with, “hey fascist, catch!”
Kirk’s death and the ensuing national reaction have sparked discussions on political rhetoric and free speech. On Tuesday, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized that threats of violence are federal crimes under the U.S. Constitution, as part of broader enforcement against so-called hate speech.
Meanwhile, the Department of Justice appears to have removed a study from its website documenting the frequency of far-right violence in the U.S. The report indicated that “far-right extremists have committed far more ideologically motivated homicides than far-left or radical Islamist extremists” since 1990. It cited 227 events that claimed over 520 lives, while far-left extremists were responsible for 42 attacks that resulted in 78 deaths.
During a state visit to the United Kingdom last week, Trump announced his plans against antifa via social media, calling the movement a “SICK, DANGEROUS, RADICAL LEFT DISASTER” and stating he would “strongly recommend” investigations into its funders.
In the Oval Office on Monday, Trump told reporters he would pursue a domestic terrorism designation for antifa if Attorney General Bondi and other Cabinet members supported the move.
Leavitt Talks
Because antifa is a domestic movement, it does not appear on the State Department’s list of foreign terrorist organizations, which includes groups like the Islamic State and al-Qaida. That designation allows the Justice Department to prosecute individuals who provide material support to foreign groups, even if the assistance does not directly result in violence.
No similar list exists for U.S.-based groups, largely due to First Amendment protections. Despite repeated calls—particularly after mass shootings by white supremacists—Congress has never enacted a domestic terrorism law.
In July 2019, Senators Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) introduced a resolution condemning antifa’s violent acts and urging its designation as a domestic terrorist organization. The following year, amid nationwide protests over George Floyd’s killing, Trump again suggested labeling antifa a terror group. At the time, then-FBI Director Christopher Wray noted that antifa is an ideology rather than an organization, lacking the formal structure typically required for such a designation.
What Happens Next
It remains uncertain how the administration could designate a decentralized ideological movement as a terrorist organization.
