Donald Trump's designation of Antifa as a terrorist organisation causes online meltdown

US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order branding the antifa movement as a "domestic terrorist organization," the White House announced on Monday, after vowing action against left-wing groups following Charlie Kirk's assassination.

The order follows Trump's threat to slap a terror label on the radical "anti-fascist" group last week.

"I hereby designate Antifa as a 'domestic terrorist organization,'" read the president's order. The news comes as Trump set to make bombshell warning over using paracetamol.

"All relevant executive departments and agencies shall utilize all applicable authorities to investigate, disrupt, and dismantle any and all illegal operations - especially those involving terrorist actions - conducted by Antifa or any person claiming to act on behalf of Antifa, or for which Antifa or any person claiming to act on behalf of Antifa provided material support, including necessary investigatory and prosecutorial actions against those who fund such operations."

The president cited Antifa's "pattern of political violence designed to suppress lawful political activity and obstruct the rule of law," in making the designation.

Social media erupts in fury over move

Minutes after the news broke, users flooded X with comments condemning the move.

Tina Leigh said, "Antifa is not an organization. Antifa is an ideology. Most of us are antifascist. Is he going to have 99% of the population arrested?"

Tessa Blackwell made this comment, " Antifa is not an organization, it's just a designation that the right gives to anyone who opposes their increasingly authoritarian government and policies. The nebulous bogeyman of Antifa that they use to scare their children in their beds at night, and stop them questioning"

Edgieversion questioned the global implications "What about Europe? Does Antifa exist in Europe?"

Others piled onto the social media platform to support the change.

Andy said, "This is the reason for Antifa being decentralized. They can claim it doesnt exist. Follow the money it will expose the chain of command."

Mattieu posted, "Proud Boys protect citizens from Antifa."

White House declares war on "radical left violence"

The White House issued a statement from its website declaring: "President Donald J. Trump is right: the violence problem is on the Left. That's why he just designated Antifa - a network of Radical Left terrorists that aim to overthrow the government through violence and agitation - as a domestic terrorist organization."

"Antifa's terror is part of the trend of Radical Left violence that has permeated the nation in recent years, incited by constant lies and vicious attacks against Republicans from unhinged Democrat politicians, well-funded leftist organizations, and their allies in the media.

"This is a time that demands fearless and courageous leadership - not moral cowardice, indecision, or the lack of fortitude to call this what it is: an epidemic of Radical Left violence."

Trump's Truth Social announcement sparks controversy

The president first made the announcement on his Truth Social platform last week, writing: "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."

Move follows Charlie Kirk assassination

The move comes after the killing of far-right commentator Charlie Kirk in Utah. Trump blamed "radical left wing political violence" for the shooting, saying it is "directly responsible for the terrorism that we're seeing in our country today, and it must stop right now." No evidence has been presented linking the suspected Kirk assassin to antifa.

Experts question Trump's legal authority

Some extremist experts are questioning the president's authority to make such a designation. Unlike foreign terrorist organizations like Islamic State, no legal framework exists for designating domestic groups as terrorist organizations due to first amendment concerns about criminalizing political ideologies.

Because of that, Heidi Beirich, co-founder of the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism who has faced Congress as an expert witness on hate groups and extremism, said the move was "ridiculous on its face" and that Trump's declaration appears to have "no basis in law or fact".