State Department’s Designation
The U.S. State Department has officially classified four antifa groups as foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs) as of Thursday.
FTOs are defined under section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which allows the government to label foreign entities as terrorists.
Under U.S. law, it is illegal for individuals within the country or under its jurisdiction to knowingly provide any form of support or resources to designated FTOs. This includes notorious groups such as Hamas, al Qaeda, and various drug cartels.
The State Department characterized these antifa organizations as militant anarchist groups that have conducted terror campaigns in both the United States and Europe, aiming to destabilize Western civilization through violent actions.
This designation restricts these violent organizations from accessing the U.S. financial system and imposes severe penalties on anyone who supports them.
The Trump administration has committed to identifying and dismantling antifa’s terror networks globally.
Among those named is Antifa Ost from Germany, known for premeditated attacks using hammers against unsuspecting victims. Hungary has also labeled this group a terrorist organization following an attack in Budapest that injured nine people.
The second group identified is the International Revolutionary Front, based in Italy, which has claimed responsibility for violent acts including shootings and bombings targeting politicians and civilians.
The State Department also listed Armed Proletarian Justice as an FTO, describing it as a Greek anarchist group that has engaged in armed conflict against law enforcement and attempted bombings near police headquarters.
The final group mentioned is Revolutionary Class Self-Defense from Greece, recognized for its explosive device attacks on government facilities.
Last month, President Trump expressed his willingness to declare antifa a terrorist organization after hearing accounts from journalists who faced violence while covering protests involving the group.
In September, President Trump signed an executive order classifying antifa as a domestic terrorist organization. The order outlines how the group recruits and radicalizes young Americans to commit violence against federal law enforcement agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
