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

WATCH: Pritzker touts education spending as potential challenger focuses on literacy

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says increased K-12 spending during his administration is producing results. A potential competitor...
Congress returns, but Trump's 'pocket rescissions' snarls govt funding process

Congress returns, but Trump’s ‘pocket rescissions’ snarls govt funding process

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square It’s Congress’ first day back in session, but President Donald Trump’s clawback of nearly $5 billion in congressionally-approved spending has alienated Democrats, whose cooperation is...
Judge rules against Trump on National Guard, Marines in California

Judge rules against Trump on National Guard, Marines in California

By Dave MasonThe Center Square A federal judge Tuesday ruled against President Donald Trump’s deployment of the California National Guard and Marines in Los Angeles. U.S. District Court Judge Charles...
Permian Basin producers reduce methane intensity by 50% as production increases

Permian Basin producers reduce methane intensity by 50% as production increases

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Methane emissions intensity for upstream oil and natural gas operations in the Permian Basin declined by more than 50% in two years, according to an...
FDA pushes nicotine pouch makers to use child-resistant packaging

FDA pushes nicotine pouch makers to use child-resistant packaging

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The Food and Drug Administration is pushing nicotine pouch manufacturers to use child-resistant packaging in response to an increase in accidental exposures among children. All...
Banning AI instruction in college could stifle innovation, IL lawmaker says

Banning AI instruction in college could stifle innovation, IL lawmaker says

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Supporters of a new law prohibiting artificial intelligence being the sole instructor in community college say...
WATCH: Chicago braces for federal law enforcement; Dabrowski on public safety, education

WATCH: Chicago braces for federal law enforcement; Dabrowski on public safety, education

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop gets to the...
Illinois quick hits: Eight dead after weekend violence; Mexican national's extradition sought

Illinois quick hits: Eight dead after weekend violence; Mexican national’s extradition sought

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Eight dead after weekend violence Chicago Police say more than 55 people were shot, at least eight fatally, in the city...
Chinese networks use U.S. to launder billions for Mexican cartels

Chinese networks use U.S. to launder billions for Mexican cartels

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Chinese networks are laundering billions of dollars in drug cartel cash through the U.S. financial system, according to a new report from the Treasury Department....
Alternative tax-hike ideas emerge to fund Illinois public transit

Alternative tax-hike ideas emerge to fund Illinois public transit

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers are proposing more options to address a $770 million fiscal cliff for public transit. After...
Kamala Harris pro-union X post inspires major Labor Day backlash

Kamala Harris pro-union X post inspires major Labor Day backlash

By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square An X post from former Vice President Kamala Harris on this Labor Day has generated hundreds of mostly critical comments. “When unions are strong, our...
Speaker Mike Johnson says Shreveport 'Democratic DA' is to blame for high crime

Speaker Mike Johnson says Shreveport ‘Democratic DA’ is to blame for high crime

By Emilee CalamettiThe Center Square When asked about crime in Caddo Parish, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson said the "Democratic DA" is not prosecuting as he should. Johnson appeared on...
Trump says he will sign executive order ending mail-in voting

Trump says he will sign executive order ending mail-in voting

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square President Donald Trump said he will be signing an executive order ending mail-in voting and requiring voter ID. “Voter I.D. Must Be Part of Every...
Everyday Economics: Jobs report takes center stage in week ahead

Everyday Economics: Jobs report takes center stage in week ahead

By Orphe DivounguyThe Center Square The economy finds itself in an uncomfortable position where growth is cooling while inflation pressures intensify. The Fed's preferred inflation measure (PCE) shows core inflation...
Legislator warns bad Illinois policy continues to hurt business investment

Legislator warns bad Illinois policy continues to hurt business investment

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – With businesses in Illinois now suffering on multiple levels, state Rep. Brad Halbrook argues it’s clear...