Trump wants to designate antifa as 'a major terrorist organization.' Can he do that?

Trump wants to designate antifa as ‘a major terrorist organization.’ Can he do that? Politics Sep 19, 2025 11:23 AM EDT

This article originally appeard on PolitiFact .

President Donald Trump’s announcement that he will designate antifa a “major terrorist organization” left some legal experts puzzled.

“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,” Trump wrote Sept. 17 on Truth Social. “I will also be strongly recommending that those funding ANTIFA be thoroughly investigated in accordance with the highest legal standards and practices. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

Trump’s announcement came after conservative influencer Charlie Kirk’s Sept. 10 assassination