In response to the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on September 10, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order on September 22, 2025, designating the antifa movement as a “domestic terrorist organization.” This action fulfilled promises made by Stephen Miller, a key Trump advisor, during Kirk’s memorial service, where he vowed to crack down on left-wing groups blamed for political violence. The executive order, as reported by multiple sources, directs federal agencies to investigate, disrupt, and dismantle antifa’s operations, citing the movement’s alleged pattern of political violence aimed at suppressing lawful political activity and obstructing the rule of law. The move was framed as a direct response to Kirk’s killing, though authorities have not confirmed a direct link between the assassination and antifa, with the suspect, a 22-year-old student, acting alone according to preliminary investigations.

The executive order describes antifa as a “militarist, anarchist enterprise” that seeks to overthrow the U.S. government and uses sophisticated tactics to conceal its members’ identities and funding sources. It grants federal authorities broad powers to target individuals or entities associated with antifa, including those providing material support, and aims to investigate the funding behind such operations. This aligns with Miller’s rhetoric at Kirk’s memorial, where he emphasized holding antifa accountable for what he described as a rising tide of left-wing violence. However, antifa’s decentralized, leaderless nature—characterized by the Anti-Defamation League as a loose collection of groups and individuals—raises questions about the order’s practical implementation and legality, as the U.S. lacks a clear statute for designating domestic groups as terrorist organizations. Critics argue this could lead to overreach, potentially targeting broader left-wing activism.

The designation has sparked significant debate, with supporters viewing it as a necessary step to curb political violence, while opponents warn it may infringe on free speech and protest rights. At Kirk’s memorial, Miller’s promises resonated with conservative audiences who saw the assassination as emblematic of escalating ideological conflicts. Trump’s order reflects this sentiment, accusing antifa of coordinating with other entities to promote violence and suppress lawful political speech. However, legal experts, as noted by CBS News, question the order’s enforceability, given antifa’s lack of formal structure and the absence of specific individuals or groups named in the order. The move marks an unprecedented step, as all 219 organizations previously designated as terrorists by the State Department are foreign, highlighting the controversial nature of applying such a label domestically.