US President Donald Trump has escalated his campaign against left-wing extremism by officially designating the loose-knit Antifa movement as a “terrorist organization.” The announcement, delivered via his Truth Social account on the evening of September 18, follows the killing of conservative activist and podcaster Charlie Kirk, whose assassination has been linked by Republican leaders to political radicalization on the left.

The designation marks one of the most sweeping attempts to place a domestic activist network in the same legal and political category as foreign terrorist groups. While Trump and his allies argue that the move is long overdue, critics warn it risks inflaming political polarization and potentially criminalizing dissent.

The immediate backdrop for the decision was the September 11 assassination of Charlie Kirk, a high-profile conservative organizer and founder of Turning Point USA. Kirk was fatally shot during a speaking tour stop at a college campus in Utah, an event that stunned conservative circles and ignited fierce partisan debate.

Authorities quickly apprehended Tyler Robinson, who has since been charged with the killing. Prosecutors allege Robinson confessed to the crime in text messages to a romantic partner, writing, “I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can’t be negotiated out.” Officials also reported that Robinson had expressed left-leaning political views and support for LGBTQ rights, though no evidence has yet........

© Blitz