On September 22, 2025, President Donald J. Trump issued an order designating Antifa as a domestic terrorist organization. The document describes Antifa as a "militarist, anarchist enterprise that explicitly calls for the overthrow of the United States Government, law enforcement authorities, and our system of law." According to the order, Antifa is accused of using illegal means to organize and execute violent actions across the country.
The order claims that Antifa's activities include coordinated efforts to obstruct federal law enforcement through armed standoffs, organized riots, violent assaults on Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and other law enforcement personnel, as well as threats against political figures and activists. It also alleges that Antifa recruits and radicalizes young Americans for these purposes while taking steps to conceal its operations and funding sources.
The document states: "Individuals associated with and acting on behalf of Antifa further coordinate with other organizations and entities for the purpose of spreading, fomenting, and advancing political violence and suppressing lawful political speech. This organized effort designed to achieve policy objectives by coercion and intimidation is domestic terrorism."
By this order, President Trump has directed all relevant executive departments and agencies to use their authority to investigate, disrupt, and dismantle any illegal operations conducted by or on behalf of Antifa. The directive includes prosecutorial actions against those who fund such activities: "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... including necessary investigatory and prosecutorial actions against those who fund such operations."
The order specifies that its implementation must comply with existing laws. It also clarifies that it does not create any new rights or benefits enforceable at law by any party against the United States or its officials: "This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law. This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit... enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States..."
Finally, it directs publication in the Federal Register.
