President Donald Trump is designating Antifa, the notorious far-left group, as a terrorist organization.
The move -- sure to anger Democrats who deny the threat of leftist extremism -- is part of a crackdown on the radical left following the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
In addition to targeting Antifa, Trump said he would investigate those providing financial backing for the radical 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,” Trump wrote. “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!”
While Antifa has long been on Trump's radar, there is a new sense of urgency to confront the group after Kirk's murder by a radical leftist.
In the days since the assassination, Democrats have vaguely condemned political violence, but few have acknowledged that the extreme left is part of the problem.
Kirk's alleged killer, Tyler Robinson, was radicalized over the past year, according to his mother, who said Robinson became more left-wing and "pro-gay and trans-rights-oriented."
Antifa is a loosely affiliated group of left-wing activists who advocate political violence and harassment, such as mass doxxing, to achieve their goals. Over the past decade, the group has become notorious for its violent resistance to President Trump's political movement.
For years, Democrats have tolerated Antifa's violent activity while denying the group exists at all, characterizing it as a nebulous ideology.
Trump's targeting of Antifa has been challenged, with some saying the group cannot be targeted because it lacks a centralized structure.
Americans' First Amendment rights to speech and association could also raise legal complications in terms of targeting domestic political actors.
Still, Antifa members engage in coordinated criminal activity, they have a common symbol -- red and black flags -- and they typically wear masks and black clothing to evade police detection.
Some say Trump could use racketeering laws to go after Antifa. Trump has already urged Attorney General Pam Bondi to bring RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act) charges against left-wing agitators and groups that support them.
“I’ve asked Pam to look into that in terms of RICO, bringing RICO cases,” Trump said. “They should be put in jail, what they’re doing to this country is really subversive.”
