Trump to designate far-left, anti-fascist group Antifa as major terrorist organisation

Washington DC [US], September 18 (HBTV): US President Donald Trump on Thursday announced that he is designating the far-left, anti-fascist movement Antifa as a major terrorist organisation, days after the fatal shooting of conservative political commentator Charlie Kirk.

In a post shared on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump described Antifa as a ‘sick, dangerous, radical left disaster’ and called for a thorough investigation into individuals and organisations allegedly funding the group.

‘I am pleased to inform our many U.S.A. Patriots that I am designating ANTIFA, A SICK, DANGEROUS, RADICAL LEFT DISASTER, AS A MAJOR TERRORIST ORGANIZATION. I will also be strongly recommending that those funding ANTIFA be thoroughly investigated in accordance with the highest legal standards and practices. Thank you for your attention to this matter!’ Trump wrote.

The announcement follows the killing of 31-year-old right-wing commentator and founder of Turning Point USA, Charlie Kirk, during an event in Utah on September 10. He was fatally shot in the neck while speaking at Utah Valley University, according to The New York Times.

Authorities arrested 22-year-old Tyler Robinson in connection with the killing, with officials in Trump’s administration stating that he had left-leaning political views. Trump himself accused the ‘radical left’ of inciting political violence during his remarks after Kirk’s death.

US Vice President JD Vance also described Kirk’s killing as an ‘incredibly destructive movement of left-wing extremism’, which he argued played a role in the commentator’s death.

During his first term, Trump pledged to label Antifa a terrorist organisation, and his Attorney General at the time, William Barr, referred to the group’s actions as ‘domestic terrorism’.

According to CNN, the practical impact of the proposed designation remains uncertain. Antifa, short for anti-fascists, is not a formal organisation but rather a loosely defined social movement. While US law prohibits giving ‘material support’ to officially designated foreign terrorist groups, there is no equivalent statute for domestic organisations, as reported by CNN.

The term Antifa generally refers to a broad range of individuals with left-leaning, often far-left, political beliefs that fall outside the mainstream Democratic Party agenda, according to CNN. The movement lacks centralised leadership or a national headquarters, though some local groups meet regularly.

(ANI)