By Alexandra Koch
Published September 17, 2025
President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced he will designate antifa, a left-wing activist group, a "major terrorist organization."
Trump described the group as "A SICK, DANGEROUS, RADICAL LEFT DISASTER" in a Truth Social announcement.
The president added he will be "strongly recommending" that those funding antifa be thoroughly investigated in accordance with the highest legal standards and practices.
The announcement comes just days after Trump said he would "100%" consider the designation.
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President Donald Trump announced Antifa would be designated a terrorist organization on Wednesday via Truth Social. (@realDonaldTrump via Truth Social)
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office Monday, Trump accused antifa participants of being "professional agitators" in response to the administration's recent crackdown on illegal immigration.
"Antifa is terrible," the president said. "These aren't protests, these are crimes that they're doing. They're throwing bricks at cars of the ICE and Border Patrol. … They're professional agitators. … They should be put in jail. What they're doing to this country is really subversive."
Undercover journalist Cameron Higby said antifa stopped drivers and demanded they say, "F--- ICE" and lit fires under cars of drivers who wouldn't comply during an immigration riot June 14, 2025, in Seattle. (Cameron Higby)
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Antifa, which is short for "anti-fascist," is a decentralized movement that does not have a designated leader, membership or structure.
The movement claims to oppose fascism, white supremacy and far-right extremism.
However, those who identify as part of Antifa — often wearing all black clothing and masks — have come under fire for their use of doxxing, violence and intimidation.
Antifa protesters were spotted in Portland, Ore., June 19, 2019. (Moriah Ratner/Stringer)
In response to the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk on Sept. 10, Trump linked alleged killer Tyler Robinson to "radical" far-left activism.
According to authorities, bullet casings found near the suspected murder weapon were engraved with "Hey fascist! Catch!" and "Bella ciao bella ciao ciao," which stems from an anti-fascist song popularized by the Italian resistance during World War II.
"We have a radical left group of lunatics out there, just absolute lunatics, and we’re going to get that problem solved," Trump told reporters before boarding Marine One on Sept. 11.
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Trump added he wanted people to respond to Kirk's death in a non-violent manner, something Kirk advocated for throughout his career.
Fox News Digital's Stephen Sorace contributed to this report.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-designate-antifa-major-terrorist-organization