Trump vows antifa crackdown after Charlie Kirk killing
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Trump pledged to label antifa a terrorist group after Charlie Kirk’s assassination, though experts say the move has little legal basis.
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Members of the far-right group Proud Boys and anti-fascist protesters spray bear mace at each other during clashes between the politically opposed groups in Portland, Oregon, August 22, 2021. (AP)
US President Donald Trump announced plans on Wednesday to target the left-wing antifa movement as a “terrorist organization,” linking the step to the assassination of right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk.
Posting on Truth Social, Trump said he was “designating” antifa as a terrorist group and would recommend that those funding the movement be “thoroughly investigated in accordance with the highest legal standards.” It was unclear what legal force his declaration carried, as antifa is an informal ideological network without leadership or a formal structure, according to experts.
The move came a day after Utah prosecutors filed charges against 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, accused of killing Kirk. Authorities have not found evidence tying Robinson to outside groups, and his motives remain under investigation.
Senior administration officials said the White House was preparing an executive order on political violence and hate speech, expected to set out new federal responses to threats against political figures.
Vice President JD Vance, speaking to Fox News, blamed “left-wing political radicalization” for fueling hostility toward conservatives. He said the administration intended to treat “funding networks for left-wing violence” in the same way as terrorist organizations.
Vance indicated the crackdown would focus on “radical left lunatics,” possibly targeting organizations such as the Ford Foundation and the Open Society Foundations, run by Democratic megadonor George Soros.
The president first floated the idea of designating antifa in 2020 amid unrest following the police killing of George Floyd, but legal analysts warned such action lacked a statutory basis and could infringe on free-speech rights.
MAGA divided over response to Kirk's assassination
The MAGA movement remains split on how to react to the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, according to Politico. Some of President Trump’s aides and allies have proposed cracking down on what they consider “hate speech” that fuels political violence, while others, emphasizing what they perceive as Kirk’s defense of the First Amendment, have focused on targeting NGOs and left-wing groups they allege have historically funded attacks on Republicans and law enforcement.
Nearly a week after Trump called for targeting organizations he blamed for the killing, the administration’s policy approach is still evolving. “There are a wide range of options on the table,” a White House official told Politico on condition of anonymity. The debate highlights internal tension as officials seek to turn outrage over Kirk’s death into concrete actions without infringing on free speech protections within the GOP.
The official said discussions center on organizations “that are inciting or funding or organizing violence,” including potential investigations and the revocation of tax-exempt status for groups accused of orchestrating illegal doxxing campaigns or supplying weapons and riot materials. “It’s not about speech,” the official stressed. “It’s about violence and criminal actions.”
Some Republicans, however, questioned limits on social media rhetoric. According to Politico, Vice President JD Vance suggested people contact the employers of those who celebrate or trivialize Kirk’s killing. The debate intensified when Attorney General Pam Bondi walked back her earlier pledge to target hate speech online, clarifying that “there’s free speech, and then there’s hate speech.” She later explained she meant “hate speech that crosses the line into threats of violence.”
Broader investigative measures considered
Former Trump strategist Steve Bannon told Politico the administration is considering steps, including designating antifa activists as domestic terrorists, declaring martial law in parts of Portland, Oregon, and investigating left-wing groups accused of funding political violence.
“The biggest thing is to broaden the assassination investigation from a single murder to the broader conspiracy,” Bannon said. “If we are going to go to war, let’s go to war.”
The White House official indicated that no limits are being set on potential actions at this stage.
On Tuesday, authorities charged Tyler Robinson, 22, with aggravated murder, discharging a firearm, and obstruction of justice. He could face the death penalty. Investigators are still working to confirm Robinson’s motive, even as Trump and his allies suggest he may be part of a coordinated left-wing effort driving violence against conservatives. The country has recently experienced a surge in political attacks targeting both parties.
