U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order declaring the antifa movement a “terrorist organization,” days after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Kirk, a close Trump ally, was shot and killed on September 10 while speaking at a Utah college. A 22-year-old student has been charged, though investigators have not linked the crime to any organized group.
The White House said Trump’s order directs federal agencies to investigate, disrupt, and dismantle alleged antifa operations and funding. The move revives long-standing efforts by the Trump administration to target left-wing groups it views as violent or hostile to conservative speech.
Antifa, short for anti-fascist, is not a formal group but a decentralized movement, according to the Anti-Defamation League. While some individuals have engaged in violence at protests, experts note such actions are not representative of the broader movement.
Critics warn the order could threaten free speech and civil liberties, since U.S. law does not currently allow for purely domestic groups to be designated as terrorist organizations. A Justice Department official told Reuters the order will expand surveillance powers, enabling the government to track finances, wire transfers, and possible foreign connections linked to antifa-affiliated individuals or organizations.
The FBI’s Counterterrorism and Counterintelligence divisions will lead investigations, with a particular focus on foreign funding of U.S. political activity. A White House source emphasized the aim of exposing international money trails supporting antifa networks.
Legal experts caution the move may face constitutional challenges, as ideology-based designations are difficult to enforce. Analysts also highlight that far-right extremists, not left-wing groups, have historically been responsible for most domestic terror incidents in the U.S.
This latest effort underscores Trump’s strategy of framing left-wing activists as primary drivers of political violence following Kirk’s death.