President Donald Trump on Monday signed an order designating antifa a “domestic terrorist organization,” a move that immediately raised legal and practical concerns. The announcement follows his pledge to crack down on left-wing groups after the assassination of activist Charlie Kirk.
The order claims antifa organizes violence to undermine government and law enforcement, and allows federal agencies to investigate operations where individuals “associated with antifa” provide support. But experts note antifa is not an actual organization — it is a loosely affiliated, decentralized movement without leadership, membership rolls, or formal structure. That reality raises questions about how the designation would be applied.
It is also unclear whether Trump has authority to label domestic groups as terrorist organizations, a power typically reserved for foreign entities. Legal challenges are expected.
Administration officials have suggested additional steps, including restricting funding for left-wing groups. Trump and other Republicans have long blamed antifa activists for unrest during protests, particularly after George Floyd’s 2020 killing, though the label has often been used broadly against left-wing demonstrators.
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