President Donald Trump announced his intention to designate Antifa as a foreign terrorist organization, citing the group’s alleged international ties and involvement in political violence across U.S. cities. Speaking at a White House roundtable with independent journalists, Trump suggested that the designation would extend beyond Antifa’s current classification as a domestic extremist organization. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller supported the move, noting evidence of financial and operational links to groups in Europe and the Middle East that U.S. intelligence agencies have been monitoring.
The announcement comes amid ongoing protests over immigration enforcement and National Guard deployments in cities like Chicago and Portland, where Antifa activity has been reported near ICE facilities. During the meeting, journalists Jack Posobiec and Nick Sortor shared firsthand accounts of demonstrations, including violent incidents and threats to conservative activists. Posobiec highlighted a pattern of escalating attacks, warning that continued radicalization could endanger individuals present at the discussion. Trump promised swift federal action, emphasizing that such threats would not be tolerated.
If implemented, the designation would mark the first time the U.S. formally labels a domestic-based organization as a foreign terrorist entity, enabling international sanctions, asset freezes, and cross-border investigations. While supporters argue that Antifa’s overseas coordination warrants the move, critics caution that it could blur the legal distinction between domestic dissent and foreign-sponsored terrorism. For Trump, however, the decision signals a direct response to what he described as a “war on America.”