Executive order revives controversial pledge from Trump’s first presidency in wake of Charlie Kirk’s killing
Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday that designates antifa as a “domestic terrorist organization”, reviving a controversial pledge from his first presidency in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s killing on 10 September and yesterday’s memorial service.
“Antifa is a militarist, anarchist enterprise that explicitly calls for the overthrow of the United States Government, law enforcement authorities, and our system of law,” the order reads.
The president first made the announcement on his Truth Social platform last week, writing: “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. I will also be strongly recommending that those funding ANTIFA be thoroughly investigated in accordance with the highest legal standards and practices.”
The move comes after the killing of far-right commentator Charlie Kirk in Utah. Trump blamed “radical left wing political violence” for the shooting, saying it is “directly responsible for the terrorism that we’re seeing in our country today, and it must stop right now.” No evidence has been presented linking the suspected Kirk assassin to antifa.
