President Donald Trump has officially declared Antifascist Action, better known as "Antifa," a domestic terrorist organization via an executive order issued Monday night.
"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 text of the EO begins, adding, "It uses illegal means to organize and execute a campaign of violence and terrorism nationwide to accomplish these goals."
President Trump's order elaborates, "This campaign involves coordinated efforts to obstruct enforcement of Federal laws through armed standoffs with law enforcement, organized riots, violent assaults on Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other law enforcement officers, and routine doxing of and other threats against political figures and activists."
The designation comes twelve days after conservative activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated by an individual with far-left political beliefs, with a bullet used in the rifle notably inscribed with "Hey fascist, catch."
However, no direct evidence of Tyler Robinson, the alleged assassin, having accomplices in the murder has been presented. FBI Director Kash Patel has recently stated, "We are meticulously investigating theories and questions," such as this possibility of accomplices both online and within the crowd during the shooting.
Nevertheless, the EO grants "All relevant executive departments and agencies shall utilize all applicable authorities to investigate, disrupt, and dismantle any and all illegal operations — especially those involving terrorist actions — conducted by Antifa or any person claiming to act on behalf of Antifa, or for which Antifa or any person claiming to act on behalf of Antifa provided material support, including necessary investigatory and prosecutorial actions against those who fund such operations."
Representative Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) had previously introduced similar legislation in Congress, telling podcaster Benny Johnson that "there needs to be massive punitive action against these people. There needs to be capital punishment, zero tolerance for people that are committing acts of murder and violence against people based on their civil liberties, the right to life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. But more importantly, people need to get involved."
