Washington, DC [US], November 14 (ANI): The United States has designated four European groups linked to Antifa as “specially designated global terrorists,” expanding the Trump administration’s crackdown on left-wing extremist organisations.
The move places the groups under sanctions, with the US also planning to list them as foreign terrorist organisations starting November 20.
In a statement, the US State Department said it is “designating German-based Antifa Ost, along with three other violent Antifa groups in Italy and Greece, as Specially Designated Global Terrorists, and intends to designate all four groups as Foreign Terrorist Organizations, effective November 20, 2025.”
These groups have been involved in violent attacks across Europe, often targeting government buildings, right-wing political offices, and institutions they view as symbols of capitalism. Some have also claimed to act in solidarity with Palestinian movements.
The State Department cautioned that American citizens or businesses engaging with the named organisations could face consequences. “Persons that engage in certain transactions or activities with those designated today may expose themselves to sanctions risk,” it said, adding that there is also a risk of secondary sanctions under counterterrorism laws.
The department said the decision aligns with President Donald Trump’s efforts to dismantle Antifa-linked networks. It noted that “the designation of Antifa Ost and other violent Antifa groups supports President Trump’s National Security Presidential Memorandum-7, an initiative to disrupt self-described ‘anti-fascism’ networks, entities, and organisations that use political violence and terroristic acts to undermine democratic institutions, constitutional rights, and fundamental liberties.”
The latest action is part of Trump’s broader campaign against antifa, which he has repeatedly accused of fuelling violent unrest in the United States. He has previously issued an executive order classifying antifa as a domestic terrorist organisation.
According to the State Department, the terror designation will help “expose and isolate entities and individuals, denying them access to the US financial system and resources they need to carry out attacks.”
In September, President Trump issued an executive order announcing that he would designate the far-left, anti-fascist movement Antifa as a “major terrorist organisation.” His declaration came days after the fatal shooting of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump described antifa as a “sick, dangerous, radical left disaster” and called for a thorough investigation into individuals and organisations allegedly funding the movement. “I am pleased to inform our many U.S.A. Patriots that I am designating ANTIFA, A SICK, DANGEROUS, RADICAL LEFT DISASTER, AS A MAJOR TERRORIST ORGANIZATION. I will also be strongly recommending that those funding ANTIFA be thoroughly investigated in accordance with the highest legal standards and practices,” he wrote.
During his first term, Trump pledged to label antifa a terrorist organisation, and then-Attorney General William Barr described the group’s actions as “domestic terrorism.”
According to CNN, the practical impact of the proposed designation remains uncertain. Antifa, short for anti-fascists, is not a formal organisation but a loosely defined social movement. While US law prohibits providing “material support” to officially designated foreign terrorist organisations, no equivalent statute applies to domestic groups, CNN reported.
The term “Antifa” generally refers to a broad spectrum of individuals with left-leaning, often far-left political beliefs that fall outside the mainstream Democratic Party, CNN noted. The movement lacks centralised leadership or a national headquarters, though some local groups meet regularly.
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