Trump's week in review: Sues NY Times, designates Antifa as 'major terrorist organization'

4. Trump designates Antifa as a terrorist organization 

In a statement posted on Truth Social Wednesday, Trump announced that he was designating Antifa, which he described as a “sick, dangerous, radical left disaster,” as “a major terrorist organization.” He also signaled his intention to recommend that “those funding ANTIFA be thoroughly investigated in accordance with the highest legal standards and practices.” 

Antifa, whose name is short for “anti-fascists,” is an extraordinarily violent left-wing group that gained national prominence after staging violent protests at the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, centered on the removal of a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee, where white supremacist groups and Neo-Nazis were among those in attendance.

Antifa was also a prominent force in violent protests that unfolded in the summer of 2020 following the death of George Floyd in police custody. Antifa member Michael Forest Reinoehl admitted to killing Trump supporter Aaron Danielson at a protest in Portland, Oregon, that summer and was shot and killed by police after he attempted to grab a firearm and evade arrest. 

In 2019, journalist Andy Ngo was attacked in Portland by Antifa black bloc activists. Video footage of the event shows Ngo being physically attacked and hit in the head with hard objects. The beatings to his head caused a brain bleed that led to his hospitalization.