President Donald Trump announced from the Oval Office on Monday that he supports designating Antifa and other far-left extremist groups as terrorist organizations.
The president’s remarks followed renewed attention on the issue after the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Trump had previously signaled his willingness to pursue such a designation but made his strongest comments yet during a press conference outlining new federal efforts in Memphis.
Speaking alongside Attorney General Pam Bondi, Trump was asked directly about labeling Antifa as a terrorist group.
“Well, it’s something I would do. Yeah, if I have support from the people back here, I think we’d start with Pam, I think,” Trump said, pointing to Bondi.
“But I would if you give me I would do that 100 percent and others also, by the way. But Antifa is terrible. There are other groups. Yeah, there are other groups. We have some pretty radical groups and they got away with murder,” he added.
Antifa, whose members typically wear black clothing and masks, has been linked to violent protests, property damage, and assaults across the country.
The group’s activities have drawn criticism from law enforcement and political leaders who argue that their methods extend far beyond peaceful demonstrations.
Trump said multiple left-wing organizations are already under investigation.
He pointed to ties with wealthy donors, including what he described as “the Soros network,” as a funding source for activities connected to violent demonstrations.
The president suggested that federal prosecutors may pursue racketeering cases against groups suspected of raising funds to support unlawful activity at protests.
He cited examples from the Black Lives Matter riots of 2020 and more recent unrest in Los Angeles.
“These aren’t protests. These are crimes what they’re doing, where they’re throwing bricks at cars of ICE and Border Patrol. They come in a beautiful new car, they’re so proud. It’s Border Patrol, Ice, you know, it’s got whatever it is. And they’re throwing rocks at it. And after 50 yards, it looks like an old beat up vehicle. It was just brand new. It was just bought for the purposes. And they don’t have to take that anymore,” Trump said.
The president criticized his predecessors, claiming that previous administrations failed to confront violent groups. “And I say when they spit, you hit. Do whatever you want. You do whatever the hell you want,” Trump told federal agents in reference to how they should handle violent agitators.
In addition to his comments, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller emphasized that the administration was targeting networks that help coordinate left-wing violence.
“Yes, so I believe what you’re referring to is there are these non-profit entities that organize, as the president mentioned, attacks on ICE officers, attacks on border patrol agents, organized doxxing campaigns, which are a violation of federal law,” Miller explained.
Miller described how these organizations allegedly provide logistical support for riots. “They break off cement, and they bring it into riots.”
He continued, “They have organized drop points for weapons, organized drop points for a gas mask, organized drop points for all the materials necessary to launch a riot. And of course, you saw that during the Black Lives Matter riots as well, too.”
He said the administration is working to uncover financial backers of these operations.
“So there’s this whole network of organizations. And I think the key point the president’s been making is somebody is paying for all of this. This is not happening for free,” he said.
“And so under the president’s direction, the attorney general is going to find out who is paying for it, and they will now be criminally liable for paying for violence.”
The discussion comes at a time when federal officials are preparing to surge resources into Memphis to fight crime and illegal immigration.
Trump said that cracking down on organized violence and domestic extremist groups is part of a broader push to restore order and support law enforcement.
