Statement on Antifa Executive Order

Americans Against Government Censorship Executive Director Cole Leiter released the following statement in response to the White House announcement that the President will sign an executive order designating Antifa as a terrorist organization:

“Let’s be clear: this is an effort to silence groups that the president perceives as his political enemies by smearing them with associations and responsibility for actions they did not commit. This will not make Americans safer, but it will make everyone less free. Rather than investigating and prosecuting real crimes, for which we have laws that should be enforced, this Administration is abusing their power to weaponize the government and accuse anyone or anything they feel threatened by of committing crimes based on their political beliefs."

Background on Antifa Designation 

Although “Antifa” is frequently invoked in political rhetoric, it is not—under U.S. law—a distinct organization that can be legally designated as a terrorist group. Multiple federal authorities, including the FBI have said Antifa is best understood as a set of loosely connected beliefs and tactics, not a hierarchical group with leadership, membership rolls, or centralized funding.

Former FBI Director Christopher Wray has testified to Congress that “Antifa is more of an ideology or a movement than an organization.”

Because “Antifa” lacks formal definition, there is no legal mechanism to designate it as a terrorist organization. Attempts to do so are unconstitutional and raise concerns about due process, free speech, and freedom of association.