US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he is officially designating the left-wing activist network known as Antifa as a "major terrorist organization." The declaration comes just days after the shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk, Trump's close aide and prominent right-wing political activist, intensifying calls for crackdowns on groups perceived as threats to national security. Trump also vowed to scrutinize and investigate anyone funding Antifa activities "with the highest legal standards and practices," signaling a renewed focus on combating what he describes as radical extremism.

But what exactly is Antifa, the shadowy group now thrust into the spotlight?

Antifa, short for "anti-fascist," is a decentralized and secretive collective of radical activists who have surged in visibility over recent years. Lacking formal leadership or a centralized structure, its members often don all-black attire—earning them the moniker "black bloc"—and rally against racism, far-right ideologies, and perceived fascist elements in society. They argue that confrontational and sometimes violent tactics are necessary for self-defense in the face of oppression, positioning themselves as guardians of progressive values.

Also Read: FBI Probes Trump-Epstein Birthday Note Allegations

The roots of Antifa run deep into history. Drawing inspiration from European anti-fascist resistance movements that opposed Nazi Germany and Mussolini's Italy in the lead-up to World War II, the modern US iteration emerged in the 1980s. It was born out of anti-racist efforts to counter the rise of white supremacist groups like skinheads, the Ku Klux Klan (KKK), and neo-Nazis, evolving into a broader movement dedicated to disrupting hate.

In the United States, Antifa's profile skyrocketed after the deadly clashes in Charlottesville, Virginia, on August 12, 2017, where white supremacists marched and were met with fierce opposition from counter-protesters, including Antifa supporters. This event, which resulted in the death of a counter-protester, highlighted the group's willingness to engage in direct action against far-right gatherings.

Antifa has been involved in numerous high-profile incidents over the years. In June 2016, during a neo-Nazi rally in Sacramento, California, Antifa and other protesters clashed violently, leading to at least five stabbings. The following year, in early 2017, Antifa activists targeted alt-right demonstrators at the University of California, Berkeley, wielding bricks, pipes, hammers, and even homemade firebombs to shut down events. More dramatically, in July 2019, self-identified Antifa member William Van Spronsen attempted to firebomb an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center in Tacoma, Washington, using a rifle and propane tanks; he was fatally shot by police during the standoff.

Trump has long targeted Antifa, frequently blaming the group for a range of unrest during his first term—from attacks on law enforcement to orchestrating the chaos of the January 6, 2021, US Capitol riot. However, his previous FBI Director, Christopher Wray, testified in 2020 that Antifa represents more of an ideology than a formal organization. Without a clear hierarchical structure, Wray argued, it doesn't fit the typical criteria for federal terror group designation, complicating legal efforts to dismantle it.

This latest executive action by Trump, in the wake of Charlie Kirk's assassination, underscores a deepening divide in American politics. As investigations into Antifa's funding and operations ramp up, the move could reshape how the government approaches domestic extremism, drawing sharp criticism from civil liberties advocates who warn of overreach against protest movements. With Antifa's decentralized nature, enforcing the terror label poses unique challenges, but Trump administration officials insist it's a necessary step to protect the nation from internal threats.

Also Read: Trump Tariffs Crush Japan: U.S. Exports Plunge 13.8%