"I am happy to announce that I will be designating Antifa, a sick, dangerous, and radical left disaster, as a major terrorist organization. I am also strongly asking for a full and complete investigation, to the highest standards and legal processes allowed, of any person or persons, group, or organization that funds Antifa," former U.S. president Donald Trump posted on Truth Social on 17/9.

Former U.S. president Donald Trump speaks to reporters outside the White House on 16/9. Photo: AFP

Former U.S. president Donald Trump speaks to reporters outside the White House on 16/9. Photo: AFP

Antifa is a term used by the right wing in the U.S. to refer to far-left groups accused of inciting violence during protests. During his first term, Trump threatened to designate Antifa as a "domestic terrorist organization" but did not follow through.

Since his first term, Trump has accused Antifa of being behind acts of violence against police and the 2021 Capitol riot.

It is unclear what mechanism Trump will use to designate Antifa as a terrorist organization and how he will address it. Antifa is essentially a social movement with no centralized governing structure or clear leadership, making it difficult to determine which individuals or entities would be targeted.

"This is just one of many actions that the president will take to address left-wing organizations engaging in political violence," a White House official said.

On 15/9, White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller said the Trump administration would "root out and destroy a large-scale domestic terrorist movement" related to the assassination of activist Charlie Kirk. Both Miller and former Vice President JD Vance suggested that the U.S. is witnessing the rise of a "radical left movement".

Huyen Le (AFP, CNN)