By Martin Shwenk Leade

Copyright indiatimes

Trump’s announcement to designate far-left Antifa movement a “terrorist” group comes merely a week after his aide Charlie Kirk was killed

US President Donald Trump said he plans to designate the left-wing ideology known as antifa as a “major terrorist organization” days after his close aide and right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated in Utah. ‘Antifa’ is a shorthand term for “anti-fascist” used to describe diffuse far-left groups.’Antifa’ is an umbrella description for the far-left-leaning militant groups that resist neo-Nazis and white supremacists at demonstrations and other events, as per Politico. It has long been criticized by Trump but he heightened his attacks in a social media post Wednesday while he was on a state visit to the U.K.“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 on X. “I will also be strongly recommending that those funding ANTIFA be thoroughly investigated in accordance with the highest legal standards and practices.”ALSO READ: Tyler Robinson’s father donated ‘$1.5 million reward’ to Charlie Kirk’s family? What we knowIt is pertinent to note that Trump has previously pledged to designate antifa as a terrorist organization. But, at that time, he did not mention the mechanism by which he’d enforce the sanction. Trump made a similar threat amid nationwide protests following the death of George Floyd in 2020.Live EventsIt’s unclear whether it’s possible for the president to label antifa as a terrorist organization. Former FBI Director Christopher Wray said antifa is “a movement or an ideology,” not an organization, during a Congressional hearing in 2020.How are Antifa and Charlie Kirk linked?Trump’s announcement to designate far-left Antifa movement a “terrorist” group comes merely a week after his aide Charlie Kirk, a right-wing political conservative activist, was shot dead at an event. Trump has blamed the “radical left” for the killing of Kirk, who founded Turning Point USA, during a campus event in Utah. A 22-year-old man identified as suspect in Kirk’s shooting allegedly sent text messages admitting that he shot and killed the activist because of “hateful” views has been charged with murder in the case but his precise motivation has not been disclosed.Several Trump administration officials have moved to suppress negative remarks about Kirk following his shooting. Vice President JD Vance urged Americans to contact the employers of those criticizing Kirk.ALSO READ: Trey Reed and Corey Zukatis: Two men found hanging in Mississippi on same day, suspicious deaths stun state Attorney General Pam Bondi initially suggested prosecuting hateful speech after Kirk’s death, though she walked back the statement the next day. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has begun suspension proceedings against service members accused of making disparaging comments about Kirk.Earlier this week, on Monday, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller said Charlie Kirk’s final message to him called for a coordinated effort against unnamed left-wing groups accused of promoting violence, pledging the federal government would use “every available resource” to dismantle them. Miller was speaking on “The Charlie Kirk Show” podcast hosted by Vice President JD Vance.Over half a decade ago, in May 2020, President Trump had talked about classifying the loose-knit Antifa movement as a terrorist group.What is Antifa?The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a nonprofit policy research organization, describes Antifa as a “decentralized network of far-left militants who oppose what they perceive as fascist, racist, or other right-wing extremist movements.”ALSO READ: D4vd and Celeste Rivas were together before her death? Viral images surface after girl’s decomposed body found in his TeslaOne of Antifa’s most recognizable symbols merges the red flag of the 1917 Russian Revolution with the black flag long associated with 19th-century anarchists, CSIS notes.Antifa groups are often seen staging counter-protests aimed at disrupting far-right rallies and gatherings. Their coordination is believed to rely heavily on social media platforms, encrypted peer-to-peer networks, and secure messaging services such as Signal.Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now!
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