Trump designates Antifa as terrorist organization
Donald Trump, President of the US (photo: Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump signed an executive order recognizing the American anti-fascist movement (Antifa) as a terrorist organization, according to the White House press service and Reuters.
The 370-word document obliges all relevant executive departments and agencies to investigate, disrupt, and eliminate any unlawful operations carried out by Antifa or by anyone financing such activities.
By the latter, the order refers to individuals associated with Antifa and acting on its behalf, coordinating their actions with other organizations and structures to disseminate, incite, and promote political violence and suppress legitimate political expression.
As Reuters noted, the US government currently does not officially designate purely domestic groups as terrorist organizations, primarily due to constitutional protections.
However, a Justice Department official familiar with the matter stated that Trump’s executive order would allow the US government to more closely track citizens’ finances and movements, as well as investigate any foreign ties of the loose network of groups and nonprofit organizations that the Trump administration considers connected to the Antifa movement.
What is Antifa
Antifa (from “anti-fascist”) is an informal and decentralized anti-fascist movement in the US that lacks the structure of a traditional organization.
This movement unites local activist groups and communities, including those on social media, which interact mainly at the regional and local levels.
The primary mission of Antifa is to combat fascism, racism, far-right movements, and neo-Nazi ideologies. In its activities, participants often resort to direct action - from protests and counter-demonstrations to methods that can take on a confrontational nature.
Killing of Charlie Kirk
Donald Trump’s executive order was signed after the September 10 killing of far-right activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University.
Police arrested the suspect, Tyler Robinson, who has been charged with multiple serious crimes: first-degree murder with aggravating circumstances, illegal discharge of a firearm, and obstruction of justice.
Robinson is currently under enhanced supervision at the Utah County Jail without the possibility of bail. He is awaiting a psychiatric evaluation. At present, there is no evidence that the suspect acted as part of a larger organized network.
Robinson has not admitted guilt in Kirk’s murder and refuses to cooperate with the investigation.
On September 18, Trump declared Antifa a terrorist organization and announced the signing of an executive order formalizing this designation.
