WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump has once again turned his sights on the anti-fascist movement known as antifa, declaring it a domestic terrorist organization.
The announcement comes in the wake of the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk earlier this month—though officials admit there is no evidence linking antifa to the crime. The accused shooter, Tyler Robinson, has refused to cooperate, leaving investigators without answers.
Still, Trump has branded antifa a “sick, dangerous, radical left disaster” and vowed to chase down its funding sources.
What is Antifa?
The word antifa is short for “anti-fascist.” But it isn’t a single group with leaders, offices, or formal membership.
Instead, it is a loose, decentralized movement—an ideology rather than an organization. Its focus? Fighting fascism, racism, and white supremacy.
According to experts and even the FBI’s former director Christopher Wray, antifa is better described as a belief system protected under the First Amendment, not as a structured network that can be outlawed.
Roots of Resistance
Antifa’s origins go back to early 20th-century Europe, when anti-fascist groups rose to challenge authoritarianism.
In the US, it gained more attention after Trump’s 2016 election, when protests and counter-protests brought clashes into the public eye.
How Does It Work?
Antifa operates through local, independent groups. Members often form small “affinity groups” of three to eight people—tight-knit circles built on trust.
They use encrypted apps to plan actions, share tactics, or coordinate protests.
On the ground, antifa adherents embrace “direct action.” That can mean peaceful rallies—but at times, it has crossed into confrontations: smashing windows, setting fires, or clashing with right-wing groups.
Black clothing, face coverings, and anonymity have become their trademark in protests. Online, some track or expose far-right activists they consider dangerous.
Violence and Accusations
Despite Trump’s repeated attacks, law enforcement has never tied antifa to a terrorist attack in the United States.
The most infamous case dates back to Portland, 2020, when antifa supporter Michael Reinoehl shot and killed a member of the far-right group Patriot Prayer. Reinoehl was later killed during an arrest operation.
Other cases have involved skirmishes during street protests. In San Diego, two men were recently convicted of conspiracy to riot from demonstrations in 2021, and prosecutors linked them to antifa.
The Challenge Ahead
Trump’s labeling of antifa as a terrorist organization faces a legal roadblock: in America, people can’t be outlawed simply for holding an ideology, even a radical one.
For many experts, this battle is less about antifa itself and more about politics, power, and perception. By casting antifa as a threat, Trump rallies his base—but the truth about what antifa is, and isn’t, remains complex.
