Jul 27, 2019 - Politics & Policy

Trump threatens to classify antifa as terrorists

Orion Rummler

This image shows two black-clad antifa members carrying black flags down the street with their faces covered. other members follow behind them. — Antifa and Black Lives Matter protestors march down the streets in Washington, DC on July 6, 2019. Photo: Evelyn Hockstein/For The Washington Post via Getty Images

President Trump said on Saturday he is considering labeling far-left anti-fascist groups — known as "antifa" — as terror organizations, alongside the violent street gang MS-13.

Reality check: MS-13, which originated in Los Angeles in the 1980s, is known for violently murdering their victims. The Anti-Defamation League describes "antifa" as "violent counter-protestors" who often doxx targets and throw heavy objects and biohazards at law enforcement, white supremacists and other targets — but they are not responsible for killing anyone.

The bottom line: Homeland Security formally classified "antifa" activities as "domestic terrorist violence" in early 2016, Politico reports, according to confidential law enforcement documents.

Go deeper: Feds sounded alarm on Antifa in 2016

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Trump threatens to classify antifa as terrorists

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