US President Donald Trump, while on his official visit in the United Kingdom has announced that he would declare the ‘antifa’, a far-left anti-fascist faction as a ‘terrorist organisation’. His assertion comes in the wake of the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the far-right activist and a close ally of Donald Trump. While, addressing the nation, in the aftermath of the killing of Charlie Kirk, Trump had resolved to take stringent action against all the “radical left” organizations.
“I am pleased to inform our many U.S.A. Patriots that I am designating ANTIFA, A SICK, DANGEROUS, RADICAL LEFT DISASTER, AS A MAJOR TERRORIST ORGANISATION,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. Meanwhile, a nationwide manhunt and investigation is underway to punish the person and forces behind the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Suspect has been detained and a thorough interrogation is being undertaken.
President Trump further asserted that he is strongly recommending the thorough investigation of those who are funding the ‘antifa’, in accordance with the highest legal standards and practices. Meanwhile, a White House official said, “This is just one of the many actions the President will take to address left-wing organizations that fuel political violence” in the country.
Antifa is a far-left and anti-fascist movement in the United States. It uses both violent and no-violent means to achieve its objectives. It is also reported that some of them who identify themselves as ‘antifa’ involve in provocative acts such as doxing, harassment, physical violence, vandalism etc. They also have anti-capitalist and even anti-state ideologies. Majority of the individuals involved in the movement are identified as communists and anarchists. Some of the acts of the ‘antifa’ faction are also deemed as counter-productive and dangerous. Infact, both democratic and republican politicians have condemned the ‘antifa’ activists and many right-wing activists also consider ‘antifa’ as a domestic terror organization. William Barr, Attorney General in the preceding presidential term of Trump had declared the activities of ‘antifa’ as ‘domestic terrorism’.
However, ‘antifa’ is not a clearly structured organization with a concrete leadership. It is a fluid grouping with no organizational structure. It doesn’t have a declared leader or a headquarters. They randomly conduct meetings at various locations across the United States. It is just a broad grouping with people who support far-left ideologies. If officially declared as a ‘terrorist organization’ it would be barred from undertaking all the public activities and it is illegal to provide material support to such groupings.
Previously, Trump had said, “Antifa is terrible. There are other groups. We have some pretty radical groups and they got away with murder”. President Trump also asserted that he is discussing with attorney General Pam Bondi about imposing racketeering charges on left-wing factions and those who fund left-wing agitations. As a testament to this, in recent days, Donald Trump is severely cracking down on billionaire George Soros who is among the largest donors to the Democrat party during the 2024 Presidential elections. He has even threatened to impose RICO act against George Soros.
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