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

Marjorie Taylor Greene leaving Congress in January

Marjorie Taylor Greene leaving Congress in January

By Kim JarrettThe Center Square U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene said Friday evening she is resigning from Congress effective Jan. 5, 2026, citing personal attacks by President Donald Trump behind...

WATCH: Trump, Mamdani meeting cordial with leaders finding common ground

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square After pelting each other with political insults over the course of several months, President Donald Trump and New York’s Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani appeared to have...
Study: K-12 public spending nears $1 trillion in U.S.

Study: K-12 public spending nears $1 trillion in U.S.

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square School districts across the country have significantly increased spending since 2020, even as they face steep declines in student enrollment and academic performance, according to...

WATCH: Power grid regulator says PNW in ‘crosshairs’ for potential winter blackouts

By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square The Pacific Northwest could be facing a challenging winter ahead when it comes to the demand for power and potential blackouts. The North American Electric...
States push back on exclusion of noncitizens from SNAP

States push back on exclusion of noncitizens from SNAP

By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square California Attorney General Rob Bonta joined 21 other state attorneys general in sending a letter this week to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, pushing back...
Pritzker suggests he’s open to tweaking SAFE-T Act after train passenger fire

Pritzker suggests he’s open to tweaking SAFE-T Act after train passenger fire

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) - Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is suggesting he would be open to amending the state’s SAFE-T Act after...
Arizona attorney general to appeal 'fake electors' ruling

Arizona attorney general to appeal ‘fake electors’ ruling

By Dave MasonThe Center Square Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes announced Friday she will appeal a ruling in the “fake electors” case. She is asking the Arizona Supreme Court to...
Illinois quick hits: Small business grants announced; new Naperville DMV

Illinois quick hits: Small business grants announced; new Naperville DMV

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Small business grants announced Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity have announced nearly $10 million...
Clintons ordered to testify on connections to Jeffrey Epstein in December

Clintons ordered to testify on connections to Jeffrey Epstein in December

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square A powerful House committee is threatening to hold former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in contempt of Congress if the...
CBO says foreign companies could pick up some tariff costs

CBO says foreign companies could pick up some tariff costs

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The Congressional Budget Office slashed its tariff revenue forecast to reflect new data on the highest import duties the U.S. has seen in nearly a...
Guidelines issued on how taxpayers can claim deductions on tips, overtime in 2025

Guidelines issued on how taxpayers can claim deductions on tips, overtime in 2025

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Millions of Americans who work overtime shifts or receive tips will be eligible to claim new deductions on their 2025 tax returns, the Trump administration...
GOP attorneys general back rail merger, splitting Republicans on deal

GOP attorneys general back rail merger, splitting Republicans on deal

By Tom JoyceThe Center Square Attorneys general in three states are asking federal regulators to approve the proposed merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern. Their letter comes one week...

WATCH: Trump admin moving ahead with dismantling the U.S. Dept. of Education

By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square This week, President Donald Trump took another step toward fulfilling his promise to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education. Federal officials announced that “six new...
Debate persists over nation's highest gas prices in California

Debate persists over nation’s highest gas prices in California

By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square A “mystery surcharge” at the pump costs Californians millions of dollars a year, according to a new report from the state Division of Petroleum Market...
Consensus for power supply solution still elusive

Consensus for power supply solution still elusive

By Lauren Jessop | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Rapid expansion of data centers in the mid-Atlantic region has leaves its power grid’s operator, PJM,...