President Donald Trump signed an order Monday designating the anti-fascism movement Antifa as a domestic terrorist organization and directing federal agencies to take action against it.
The order accuses Antifa of organizing political violence — including riots, attacks on law enforcement and doxing — with the goal of overthrowing the US government. It directs all relevant federal agencies to “investigate, disrupt, and dismantle” any illegal operations associated with Antifa or those supporting it, including through criminal prosecution.
The precise effect of the order — which says it must be implemented within existing laws — was not immediately clear. Trump similarly vowed to designate Antifa a terrorist organization in his first term, and legal analysts said the move would likely face constitutional challenges.
Leavitt also defended Trump’s assertion at Kirk’s funeral that he hates his political opponents. The comments put him at odds with Kirk and his widow, Erika Kirk, who said she forgave her husband’s killer and called for people to fight hate with love.
“The president is authentically himself,” Leavitt said Monday.
The term Antifa, short for anti-fascist, is used to define a broad group of people whose political beliefs lean toward the left — often the far left — but do not conform with the Democratic Party platform. Unlike militant far-right groups like the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, Antifa has never had a leader, nor is there a hierarchy or a command structure.
While some local groups are well-organized, Antifa’s lack of a national structure would make it hard for the administration to go after leaders or funding sources.
“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,” Trump posted on social media last week. “I will also be strongly recommending that those funding ANTIFA be thoroughly investigated in accordance with the highest legal standards and practices!”
Leavitt noted that bullets recovered in the investigation of Kirk’s shooting were engraved with anti-fascist messages — one read, “Hey Facist! Catch!” — and she ticked through series of violent crimes she said had been “perpetuated by Antifa, radical people across this country who subscribe to this group.”
“We will be most importantly looking at who is funding Antifa and who is funding these other violent left-wing groups,” she added.
The term “antifa” has roots in anti-fascist movements that opposed Italian dictator Benito Mussolini during World War II and that opposed White supremacist or skinhead groups throughout Europe during the Cold War.
Trump’s announcement that he would designate it as a terror group has raised fears that the president may be stretching the bounds of his authority to stifle any large-scale left-wing dissent. Trump has similarly suggested that those from the activist group Code Pink who protested the president during his recent visit to a Washington, DC, restaurant, should be charged with crimes.
Credit: Yahoo News