Donald Trump signs order designating leftwing movement Antifa as a domestic terror organization
Donald Trump has signed an executive order designating ‘Antifa’ as a domestic terrorist organization. The news follows Trump’s announcement Thursday that he was planning such an order following Charlie Kirk’s assassination.
Antifa, short for “anti-fascists”, is an umbrella term for far-left-leaning activist groups and is not a single entity.
“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 order reads.
Key events
Here’s a bit more from my colleague Joseph Gedeon about Donald Trump’s executive order labeling antifa as a ‘domestic terrorist organization’:
This marks Trump’s second attempt to brand antifa as a terrorist organization. During 2020 protests following George Floyd’s murder, he posted: “The United States of America will be designating ANTIFA as a Terrorist Organization.” No formal designation followed.
And while Trump may not be able to formally designate antifa as a terrorist organization, the administration could prioritize investigations of individuals claiming antifa affiliation, potentially leading to more frequent arrests using existing criminal statutes.
When Trump first came into office, he pardoned Proud Boys and Oath Keepers convicted in the 6 January Capitol attack, marking a contrast in his treatment of far-right extremists versus leftwing extremists.
Joe Biggs, a Proud Boys leader who was convicted and pardoned for his role in 6 January, posted on X ahead of the announcement: “Who’s ready to go ANTIFA hunting? Because I know a few guys”.
Former Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell says he opposed efforts to take Jimmy Kimmel off the air.
In a social media post, McConnell said he agreed with senator Ted Cruz, a Texas Republican, who voiced concerns that government officials could violate Republicans’ free speech in the future if such a precedent were set.
“As a First Amendment guy, myself, I think he’s probably got it right,” McConnel wrote. “You don’t have to like what somebody says on TV to agree that the government shouldn’t be getting involved here.”
Earlier today, the Supreme Court ruled that Donald Trump may fire the only remaining Democrat on the Federal Trade Commisson, Rebecca Slaughter, a move that may expand the president’s ability to influence independent government agencies.
The court overturned a 1935 Supreme Court ruling, dating back to Franklin D. Roosevelt’s presidency, called Humphrey’s Executor. That decision found that commissioners could only be removed for misconduct or neglect of duty.
The court’s decision came after a lower court reinstated Rebecca Slaughter, the only remaining Democratic member of the Federal Trade Commission, who Trump tried to fire in March.
Lindsey Halligan, a former Florida insurance lawyer who has been serving as a special assistant to the president, has been sworn in as interim US attorney, replacing Erik Siebert.
Siebert, a longtime prosecutor who had been overseeing investigations into New York attorney general Letitia James and former FBI director James Comey, resigned Friday amid pressure from the Trump administration.
Both Halligan’s and Siebert’s names appeared in a since deleted post Donald Trump made to his social media platform last night.
In it, Trump ordered his attorney general Pam Bondi to appoint Halligan to replace Siebert, who he called a “woke RINO,” short for “Republican In Name Only”.
Donald Trump signs order designating leftwing movement Antifa as a domestic terror organization
Donald Trump has signed an executive order designating ‘Antifa’ as a domestic terrorist organization. The news follows Trump’s announcement Thursday that he was planning such an order following Charlie Kirk’s assassination.
Antifa, short for “anti-fascists”, is an umbrella term for far-left-leaning activist groups and is not a single entity.
“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 order reads.
After concluding his Tylenol press conference, Donald Trump is en route to New York City for the UN General Assembly, where he is scheduled to give a speech tomorrow on the “renewal of American strength around the world”, per press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
Ahead of the president’s arrival, secretary of state Marco Rubio met with Syrian president Ahmad al-Sharaa. Al-Sharaa’s appearance in New York City marks the first time a Syrian leader has attended the UN General Assembly since 1967. The State Department waived visa restrictions on Syria to allow al-Sharaa and his team to attend the gathering.
Trump is walking back his claims about vaccines slightly, emphasizing the success of his Operation Warp Speed project to rapidly develop a Covid-19 vaccine during the pandemic.
Trump interrupted a CNN reporter trying to ask a question, saying “you’re fake news,” and then took a question from a different reporter.
Mehmet Oz and Donald Trump are answering questions from reporters, including about cuts to Medicaid and Chip under the president’s so-called One Big Beautiful Bill, which cut $1tn from the programs. They said the cuts to those programs targeted fraud, waste and abuse and will not impact children’s ability to access healthcare.
About half of American children are insured through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
Donald Trump has responded to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists statement on Tylenol announcement, following a reporter’s question.
“That’s the establishment. They’re funded by lots of different groups. And you know what, maybe they’re right,” he said. “But here’s the thing, there’s no downside to doing this.”
Trump has returned to the podium, sharing a range of stories and his opinions on vaccines and medications.
“Don’t take Tylenol,” he said emphatically. “There’s no downside.”
According to the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine untreated fever during pregnancy does carry significant risks to moms and babies, such as miscarriage and birth defects.
Tylenol maker rejects Trump’s announcement
The manufacturer of Tylenol, Kenvue Inc, has released a statement in response to the president’s announcement, saying it “strongly disagrees” with the suggestion that the medication may cause autism.
“Sound science clearly shows that taking acetaminophen does not cause autism,” the statement says.
Top US medical group calls Tylenol guidance ‘irresponsible’ and ‘not backed by full body of scientific evidence’
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the nation’s leading organization for obstetricians and gynecologists, says Donald Trump’s announcement regarding Tylenol use in pregnancy is “irresponsible when considering the harmful and confusing message they send to pregnant patients.”
“Today’s announcement by HHS is not backed by the full body of scientific evidence and dangerously simplifies the many and complex causes of neurologic challenges in children,” the organization’s president, Dr. Steven Fleischman, said in a statement.
“It is highly unsettling that our federal health agencies are willing to make an announcement that will affect the health and well-being of millions of people without the backing of reliable data.”
Ahead of the president’s announcement, the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine said Tylenol is “an appropriate medication to treat pain and fever during pregnancy.” It added that untreated fever during pregnancy carries significant risks to moms and babies, such as miscarriage and birth defects.
