.U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order formally designating the Antifa movement as a “domestic terrorist organization,” the White House confirmed in a written statement on Tuesday.

According to the decree, Antifa is accused of engaging in a “pattern of political violence aimed at suppressing legitimate political activity and undermining the rule of law.” The order describes the movement as “a militarist, anarchist initiative explicitly seeking to overthrow the U.S. government, law enforcement, and judicial system, designed to achieve political objectives through coercion and intimidation.”

Antifa, short for “anti-fascist,” is not a centralized organization but a loose network of autonomous groups across the United States. Its members generally advocate anarchist and anti-racist principles, often employing tactics ranging from nonviolent direct action and civil disobedience to, in some instances, violent confrontation against far-right groups.

While the movement lacks formal leadership or a legal identity, U.S. authorities have increasingly blamed Antifa-affiliated activists for violent unrest during political protests in recent years.

The decision to sign the executive order gained heightened attention after the recent assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. U.S. media reported that ammunition bearing Antifa-related slogans was allegedly discovered in the firearm used in the killing, though investigators have not yet publicly confirmed direct organizational involvement.

The designation is expected to spark widespread legal and political debate. U.S. law does not currently provide a clear framework for labeling domestic movements as “terrorist organizations,” a designation typically reserved for foreign groups. Civil rights advocates have previously argued that such measures risk criminalizing political dissent and violating constitutional rights.

Still, the Trump administration has defended the move as necessary to counter what it calls “a coordinated campaign of violence” targeting law enforcement, government institutions, and conservative figures.

The executive order is likely to intensify polarization in an already deeply divided political climate, as supporters hail the decision as a firm step against extremism, while critics warn of broad implications for free speech and protest rights in the United States. (ILKHA)