Justice department can only process those who give material support to entities on the list of foreign terrorist organizations. There is no specific law for domestic terrorism, experts explain.
US President Donald Trump declared the Far-left Antifa movement terrorist organizationas a result of the murder of ultra -conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
“I am pleased to inform our many American patriots that I am designating ‘Antifa’, a sick and dangerous disaster of the radical left, like a terrorist organization,” Trump said on his social network, Truth Social.
“I also strongly recommend that those who finance the antifa to be investigated thoroughly, according to the highest legal standards and practices,” said the Republican leader, who is in the United Kingdom on a state visit. Trump added that the decision seeks to protect citizens and stressed that any violent actions attributed to the antifa will be dealt with with all the rigor of the law.
No one can be punished for joining or financing domestic group
Trump did not clarify which mechanism will use to formalize the designation of terrorist organization. In fact, experts and guardians have underlined jurisdiction to sanction such a decentralized collective.
The Justice Department can only process those who give material support to entities on the list of Foreign terrorist organizations. There is no specific law for domestic terrorism.
Experts explain to BBC Verify that the rights of freedom of expression provided for in the first amendment of the US Constitution would limit Trump’s ability to prohibit – or restrict financing – from domestic movements such as the antifa. No one can be punished for joining a group or giving money to a group, they say.
In the court, Trump’s actions would be potentially susceptible to constitutional contestation for violation of fundamental rights provided for in the Constitution.
On Tuesday, Trump had already said, when asked by journalists, that he did not rule out the possibility of declaring the movement as “domestic terrorist organization.”
“It’s something that would do, yes, if you had the support of the people here,” said Donald Trump, pointing to members of his office in the White House oval room. “I believe I would start with Pam [Bondi, a procuradora-geral]. If you allow me, I would do this to 100% and with other [grupos] Also, by chance. But anyway, the antifa is terrible, ”added the US president.
Antifa is a US network that groups activists that define themselves as anarchists, anticapitalists or communists, which Donald Trump has accused, on several occasions, of inciting violence, including them in 2020, during his first term – in which the president Antifa as a terrorist movement.
Trump, Vice President JD Vance and other government members pointed to “leftist extremism” as partially responsible for the September 10 at the Utah University campus.
Authorities have been detained, 22, as an alleged author and assured that the young man had recently “politicized” and developed a great aversion to the ultra -conservative ideas that Kirk promoted in famous forums with students.
Several employees of US companies and universities have been failed or targeted by disciplinary proceedings by comments considered inappropriate about Kirk’s murder.
