What is antifa and how does terrorist designation affect left-wing network?

Published September 19, 2025 6:00am ET



President Donald Trump‘s declaration that antifa is a terrorist organization was long-awaited, but the consequences are so far uncertain.

Antifa, short for Antifascist Action, is a radical left-wing militant network that endorses terrorist tactics in order to combat fascism, which translates to any political group or figures opposed to its lofty, sometimes Marxist aims. Though antifa and its supporters have attempted to deflect attention and investigation by claiming it is a movement and not an organization, multiple investigations into local chapters have found a rigid command-and-control structure, a structured onboarding and training process, and strict ideological training courses.

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