Executive Order on Domestic Designation Paves Way for Broader Crackdown, Sparking Debate Over Free Speech and Security

October 9, 2025 - Washington, D.C.

President Donald Trump intensified his administration's campaign against far-left activist networks on Wednesday, signaling plans to designate Antifa—a loose coalition of anti-fascist groups—as a foreign terrorist organization, building on last month's executive order that already branded it a domestic threat. The announcement, made during a White House roundtable on urban unrest, comes amid escalating protests in cities like Chicago and Portland, where Trump accused Democratic leaders of harboring "anarchist mobs."

"Antifa isn't just a bunch of sore losers burning down our cities—they're getting money and marching orders from overseas radicals who hate America," Trump declared to a group of conservative lawmakers and law enforcement officials. "We're going to hit them where it hurts: their wallets, their networks, and their safe havens abroad. This is about protecting the American way of life." The president instructed Cabinet members, including Attorney General Pam Bondi, to expedite the foreign terrorist designation under Executive Order 13224, which targets groups providing material support to terrorism.

The push follows Trump's September 22 executive order formally designating Antifa as a domestic terrorist organization, a move that empowers federal agencies to disrupt its operations through asset freezes and enhanced surveillance. That order described Antifa as a "militarist, anarchist enterprise" explicitly calling for the overthrow of the U.S. government. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton quickly followed suit, launching undercover operations to "infiltrate and uproot" Antifa-linked activities in the state, citing the president's directive.

Trump's rhetoric has ramped up in recent days, particularly after clashes between protesters and police in Chicago, where he threatened to deploy the National Guard if local officials fail to act. At Tuesday's event, he reiterated calls to label Antifa a foreign entity, pointing to alleged ties to international anarchist groups in Europe and funding streams from abroad—claims echoed by supporters but dismissed by critics as unsubstantiated.

The proposed foreign designation would allow the State Department to impose travel bans, sanctions, and financial restrictions on individuals and entities linked to Antifa, potentially treating it on par with groups like ISIS or Hezbollah. During the roundtable, Trump previewed the move in a video clip that quickly went viral, asking the audience, "Antifa? A foreign terror organization. Well, has that been done? Pretty close, right? Would you like to see it done?" The crowd responded affirmatively, amplifying the moment on social media.

Reactions were sharply divided. Civil liberties advocates, including the ACLU, condemned the plan as a dangerous escalation that could chill dissent and target journalists covering protests. "Labeling a decentralized movement like Antifa as a foreign terrorist group is a blatant abuse of power, designed to silence opposition," ACLU Executive Director Anthony Romero said in a statement. Progressive lawmakers, led by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, introduced a resolution earlier this year deeming such conduct unconstitutional, though it stalled in the Republican-controlled Congress.

On the right, the move drew praise. House Speaker Mike Johnson called it "a bold step to restore law and order," while conservative media outlets hailed it as fulfillment of Trump's 2024 campaign promises to combat "radical left violence." The administration has already frozen assets tied to several Antifa-affiliated nonprofits and arrested dozens in coordinated raids since the domestic designation.

As legal experts warn of potential court challenges—citing First Amendment concerns—the White House press secretary defended the strategy, arguing it targets only violent actors, not peaceful activists. With midterm elections looming, Trump's Antifa offensive appears poised to dominate the political narrative, pitting national security against accusations of authoritarian overreach. Implementation details are expected within weeks, as federal agencies scramble to build the international case.