Who Are Antifa, Whom Trump Designated as ‘Terrorists’?

President Donald Trump has designated Antifa a “domestic terrorist organization” in the wake of conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s assassination, doubling down on his claims that the radical left fuels political violence in America. Antifa, short for “anti-fascist,” is not an official group but a decentralized movement of left-wing activists, anarchists, and socialists, with roots dating back to 1930s Germany where anti-fascist groups opposed Hitler’s rise. In the U.S., Antifa-aligned activists have been at the forefront of clashes with far-right groups, including Charlottesville in 2017 and Trump’s 2016 inauguration. Members often wear black, cover their faces, and say violence can be justified in self-defense. Despite Trump’s declaration, legal experts stress that U.S. law does not allow domestic groups to be labeled as terrorist organizations, unlike foreign groups such as Al-Qaeda or ISIS. Critics argue that such a designation could threaten First Amendment rights and be misused against political opponents, leaving Trump’s announcement more symbolic than legally binding.