Senators introduce legislation to codify Antifa terror designation

Spread the love

More than a month after President Donald Trump designated Antifa a domestic terror organization, a group of senators is proposing legislation to codify the president’s executive order.

The Stop ANTIFA Act has been introduced by U.s. Sens. Ashley Moody, R-Fla., Rick Scott, R-Fla., and Mike Lee, R-Utah, which would direct the National Joint Terrorism Task Force to investigate Antifa.

The president’s executive order designating Antifa a domestic terror organization came a week after The Center Square posed the question to Trump in the Oval Office, following a rise in left-wing violence, including the assassination of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk.

The president’s executive order describes the group as a “militarist, anarchist enterprise,” which calls for the overthrow of the federal government, especially targeting law enforcement.

Antifa “uses illegal means to organize and execute a campaign of violence and terrorism nationwide to accomplish these goals. This campaign involves coordinated efforts to obstruct enforcement of Federal laws through armed standoffs with law enforcement, organized riots, violent assaults on Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other law enforcement officers, and routine doxing of and other threats against political figures and activists,” according to the executive order.

The president’s order says the group targets young Americans as part of its recruiting efforts, while radicalizing and training them to engage in “violence and suppression of political activities.”

Antifa “employs elaborate means and mechanisms to shield the identities of its operatives, conceal its funding sources and operations in an effort to frustrate law enforcement, and recruit additional members. Individuals associated with and acting on behalf of Antifa further coordinate with other organizations and entities for the purpose of spreading, fomenting, and advancing political violence and suppressing lawful political speech. This organized effort designed to achieve policy objectives by coercion and intimidation is domestic terrorism,” the executive order added.

Moody echoed the president’s executive order, underscoring the group’s continual targeting of law enforcement.

“Violent extremists who target our law enforcement officers and destroy our communities must be held accountable. It’s far past time to designate Antifa a terrorist organization. The Stop ANTIFA Act makes it clear that organized violence has no place in America,” Moody said in a news release.

During an Antifa round table with independent journalists at the White House on Oct. 8, The Center Square asked the president if he would go a step further and designate the group a foreign terror organization, with the president responding, “let’s get it done.”

While the president directed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to “take care of it,” the group has yet to be officially designated a foreign terror organization.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Illinois quick hits: Davis Gates selected to lead IFT; new veterans facilities in Quincy

Illinois quick hits: Davis Gates selected to lead IFT; new veterans facilities in Quincy

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Davis Gates selected to lead IFT Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates is now also the president of the Illinois...
Everyday Economics: Economic expansions rarely die of old age

Everyday Economics: Economic expansions rarely die of old age

By Orphe DivounguyThe Center Square A partial government shutdown has paused many federal data releases, but two key reports on housing and inflation are still on deck. The Bureau of...
Poll: Vance, Trump Jr. early favorites to win GOP nod for next president

Poll: Vance, Trump Jr. early favorites to win GOP nod for next president

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square Vice President JD Vance is currently the strongest contender for the 2028 presidential election among Republican voters, according to a new poll. The Center Square...
D.C. leads thousands of 'No Kings' protests nationwide

D.C. leads thousands of ‘No Kings’ protests nationwide

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Thousands of people marched in Washington, D.C., on Saturday as part of the second “No Kings” Day, protesting President Donald Trump. Organizers of the event...
Experts weigh in on fight over Obamacare premium tax credit extension

Experts weigh in on fight over Obamacare premium tax credit extension

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square With the battle over extending pandemic-era Affordable Care Act subsidies raging in Congress, organizations across the political spectrum are highlighting the political pros and costly...
Republican support slipping ahead of midterm elections, poll shows

Republican support slipping ahead of midterm elections, poll shows

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square A new poll shows faint warning signs for Republicans ahead of the 2026 midterm election, with Independent voters currently favoring Democratic candidates by nine percentage...
Poll: Americans support Antifa terror designation

Poll: Americans support Antifa terror designation

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square More American voters support President Donald Trump’s decision to designate Antifa a terror organization than those who don't, according to new polling. The Center Square...
Electronics retailer asks Supreme Court to quell tariff chaos

Electronics retailer asks Supreme Court to quell tariff chaos

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square A national electronics retailer asked the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday to quell the uncertainty around tariffs for businesses that must import products. Crutchfield, a...
Illinois lawmakers push Pritzker on federal school choice program

Illinois lawmakers push Pritzker on federal school choice program

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers urge Gov. J.B. Pritzker to join a new federal school scholarship tax credit program,...
Trump commutes former NY Rep. Santos' prison sentence

Trump commutes former NY Rep. Santos’ prison sentence

By Chris WadeThe Center Square President Donald Trump wielded his executive powers Friday to commute the prison sentence of former New York congressman George Santos, ordering his immediate release from...
Trump calls Zelenskyy meeting 'cordial'; urges Putin, Zelenskyy to make a 'deal'

Trump calls Zelenskyy meeting ‘cordial’; urges Putin, Zelenskyy to make a ‘deal’

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square President Donald Trump hosted President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House on Friday afternoon, in hopes of inching Ukraine and Russia closer to peace. Trump...
Second nationwide ‘No Kings Day’ protest to occur Saturday

Second nationwide ‘No Kings Day’ protest to occur Saturday

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square In thousands of locations across the country and even some across the world, millions are expected to gather in protest of what they see as...
Pritzker looking at how Illinois can cover looming SNAP funding lapse

Pritzker looking at how Illinois can cover looming SNAP funding lapse

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In less than two weeks, and with the upcoming holiday season, the ongoing federal government shutdown is...
Retired Navy captain disputes Pritzker’s military politicization claims

Retired Navy captain disputes Pritzker’s military politicization claims

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Former military leaders have lined up on both sides of the debate between President Donald Trump and...

WATCH: Few details on latest boat strike; two survivors in custody

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump released few details Friday afternoon amid reports that two survivors of a suspected drug submarine strike near Venezuela were in U.S. custody....