The White House Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt, announced that the President of the United States, Donald Trump, will sign an executive order to declare the Antifa movement as a domestic terrorist organization, an unprecedented measure in the country that is laden with controversy due to its political and legal implications.
The decision comes just days after the murder of ultraconservative activist Charlie Kirk, which took place on September 10 at a university campus in Utah. A 22-year-old man identified as Tyler Robinson was arrested in connection with the crime.
Although the authorities have not presented evidence directly linking the suspect to Antifa, Trump and several members of his administration have pointed to the leftist movement as indirectly responsible for fostering a hostile environment against conservatives.
Leavitt assured that the executive order will be signed “as soon as it is drafted” and that it responds to a commitment made by Trump during his presidential campaign. According to the official, Antifa has been involved in multiple violent episodes in recent years, ranging from ambushes against police to attacks with explosives, events that, she said, “had been ignored by traditional media and the previous administration.”
"Not anymore," Leavitt insisted while citing instances of violence attributed to Antifa cells, including an attack in Texas in 2025 and riots outside federal facilities in Portland.
Experts cited by BBC News warn that the announcement lacks legal grounds, as Antifa is not a formal organization but rather a decentralized movement of antifascist and anticapitalist activists, without leaders or a defined structure.
"I am not aware of any legal mechanism that allows for the official declaration of a national group as a terrorist organization," stated Luke Baumgartner, a researcher at George Washington University.
Legal and constitutional risks
The analysis by the BBC also highlights that the designation clashes with the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which protects freedom of expression and the right of association.
For Professor David Schanzer from Duke University, Trump's decision "does not change those fundamental rights," while other scholars warn of the danger that the government may expand its powers to target anyone suspected of sympathizing with the movement.
"The dangers of overstepping are more than evident," warned Brad Evans, an expert in political violence at the University of Bath.
For critics and academics, Trump is using Kirk's murder as a pretext to criminalize his political opponents, a strategy that could have profound repercussions on the debate regarding civil rights and fundamental liberties in the country.
Frequently asked questions about the designation of Antifa as a terrorist organization and the murder of Charlie Kirk
Why has Donald Trump decided to declare Antifa a terrorist organization?
Donald Trump has decided to declare Antifa a terrorist organization due to its alleged involvement in acts of violence and domestic terrorism. This decision is set against the backdrop of the murder of activist Charlie Kirk, although no direct evidence has been presented linking Antifa to this crime. Trump and his administration believe that Antifa fosters a hostile environment against conservatives.
Are there legal grounds to declare Antifa a terrorist organization?
Legal experts indicate that the measure lacks clear legal foundations, as Antifa is not a formal organization with leaders or a defined structure, but rather a decentralized movement. No legal mechanism is known that allows for the declaration of a national group as a terrorist organization. Furthermore, the measure could conflict with the First Amendment of the Constitution, which protects freedom of speech and the right to associate.
What implications does the assassination of Charlie Kirk have for the conservative movement in the United States?
The assassination of Charlie Kirk has shocked the conservative movement in the United States and has been used by Donald Trump to intensify his rhetoric against the radical left. The event has sparked a wave of tributes and has elevated Kirk as a symbol or martyr of Trumpism, in a context of increasing political violence and polarization in the country.
Who was Charlie Kirk and what was his role in American conservatism?
Charlie Kirk was a prominent conservative activist and founder of the organization Turning Point USA, dedicated to promoting conservative ideas in colleges and high schools in the United States. He was known for being a close ally of Donald Trump and an influential figure in the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement. He was a staunch advocate for the right to bear arms, and his assassination has been a turning point in the debate over political violence in the country.
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