President Donald Trump signs an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Friday. On Monday, Trump signed an order to designate Antifa a “domestic terrorist organization.” Photo by Aaron Schwartz/UPI | License Photo
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday, designating Antifa a “domestic terrorist organization.”
The order comes nearly two weeks after Trump vowed to label the “anti-fascist” group as terrorist, following the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. Trump and other Republicans have blamed Antifa for political violence, in addition to the riots following George Floyd’s murder.
In signing Monday’s order, government agencies will be given a mandate to investigate Antifa operations. Trump has cited Antifa’s “pattern of political violence designed to suppress lawful political activity and obstruct the rule of law.”
“I hereby designate Antifa as a ‘domestic terrorist organization,'” Monday’s order states.
“Individuals associated with and acting on behalf of Antifa further coordinate with other organizations and entities for the purpose of spreading, formenting and advancing political violence and suppressing lawful political speech,” the order states. “This organized effort designed to achieve policy objectives by coercion and intimidation is domestic terrorism.”
“All relevant executive departments and agencies shall utilize all applicable authorities to investigate, disrupt and dismantle any and all illegal operations — especially those involving terrorist actions — conducted by Antifa or any person claiming to act on behalf of Antifa,” according to the order.
After Kirk — who founded Turning Point USA — was killed Sept. 10, in Utah, the Trump administration vowed to crack down on political violence, with Trump blaming the “radical left” for his murder. Tyler Robinson, 22, has been charged with aggravated murder in his death.
