President Donald Trump said he is designating the far-left anti-fascism movement Antifa as a terrorist organization, announcing the move on his Truth Social platform in the early hours of Thursday morning UK time.

It wasn’t immediately clear what mechanism Trump would use to make the designation, and Antifa lacks centralized structure or defined leadership, making it unclear who or what precisely would be targeted.

“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 ORGANIZATION,” Trump wrote. “I will also be strongly recommending that those funding ANTIFA be thoroughly investigated in accordance with the highest legal standards and practices. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

A White House official told CNN, “This is just one of many actions the president will take to address left wing organizations that fuel political violence.”

Trump — who’s overseas for a formal state visit — signaled the move earlier this week in remarks from the Oval Office following the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

  • Trevita17@lemmy.world
    73·
    13 hours ago

    There is no mechanism by which to cancel elections in the United States, even under martial law. We’ve had them during every major conflict in our history, including the first Civil War, we’ll continue to have them, even if only in blue and purple states—even if we have to risk our lives for it. Remember, elections are the purview of the states, the only way he takes them away is if they give them away.

    “He’s going to declare martial law to cancel elections” is misinformation. Actually, no. No more benefit of the doubt. At this point it’s disinformation. Please stop spreading it.

      • Trevita17@lemmy.world
        1·
        27 minutes ago

        You do realize that Trump is a wuss, right? Again, the only way he can cancel elections is if the states allow him to. They won’t. And when they refuse, he’ll threaten to send the military and then wuss out like he always does. He has no mechanism for cancelling elections, and he doesn’t have the stones to take them by force.

    • TheHiddenCatboy@lemmy.worldEnglish
      2·
      5 hours ago

      Trump’s schtick is to do things he’s not allowed to do according to precedent. Domestic terrorism can’t be prosecuted. He declares antifa domestic terrorists and promises to prosecute them and everyone who supports them. The US Military cannot be deployed on US territory. He does so anyway. Presidents can’t get rich off the office while they’re in the office. He’s getting and has gotten stupid rich off of his office. And Presidents are not above the law, but with cover from his hand-picked supreme court, he is. What makes you think he won’t deploy the military against Blue States trying to have elections and arrest anyone sent to remove him? Let’s stop giving him cover and prepare for the worst, even as we hope for the best. That away, if he gets thrashed next year in the Midterms and then shown the door in 2028 (to both him and his hand-picked successor if he respects the 22nd Amendment…which is itself not a given), we can sigh a sigh of relief, but if he suspends elections, we’re ready to fight him that day instead of taking a year and a half to gear up.