Donald Trump says he'll designate antifa as a terrorist group but offers few details

"President Donald Trump said early Thursday that he plans to designate antifa as a major terrorist organization. Antifa, short for anti-fascists, is an umbrella term for far-left-leaning militant groups and is not a singular entity. They consist of groups that resist fascists and neo-Nazis, especially at demonstrations. RELATED: Celebs, politicians and more react to indefinite suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! It's unclear how the administration would label what is effectively a decentralized movement as a terrorist organization,"

"He called antifa a SICK, DANGEROUS, RADICAL LEFT DISASTER. He also said he will be strongly recommending that funders of antifa be investigated. Antifa is a domestic entity and, as such, is not a candidate for inclusion on the State Department's list of foreign terror organizations. Dozens of groups, including extremist organizations like the Islamic State and al-Qaida, are included on that list."

"The designation matters in part because it enables the Justice Department to prosecute those who give material support to entities on that list even if that support does not result in violence. There is no domestic equivalent to that list in part because of broad First Amendment protections enjoyed by organizations operating within the United States. And despite periodic calls, particularly after mass shootings by white supremacists, to establish a domestic terrorism law, no singular statute now exists."

President Donald Trump announced plans to designate antifa as a major terrorist organization and to recommend investigations into its funders. Antifa is an umbrella term for decentralized, far-left militant groups that resist fascists and neo-Nazis, especially at demonstrations. Administration officials did not provide details on how a decentralized domestic movement would be designated as a terrorist organization. Antifa, as a domestic entity, cannot be placed on the State Department's list of foreign terror organizations. That list enables Justice Department prosecution for providing material support. There is no domestic equivalent due to broad First Amendment protections, and no singular domestic terrorism statute currently exists.

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