The United States has designated four European groups, self-described as anti-fascist, as ‘Foreign Terrorist Organizations.’ The move, announced Thursday, targets groups active in Germany, Italy, and Greece and intensifies the ongoing campaign against ‘Antifa’ by the Trump administration.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the designation includes ‘Antifa Ost,’ based in Germany, along with three other groups in Italy and Greece. These entities will be formally designated as ‘Foreign Terrorist Organizations’ effective November 20th. The action is intended to reinforce the Trump administration’s commitment to confronting what it describes as a campaign of political violence perpetrated by Antifa.
According to the State Department, ‘Antifa Ost’ has been involved in several attacks in Germany between 2018 and 2023, targeting individuals perceived as fascists. The group is also accused of carrying out attacks in Hungary in 2023.
The other three organizations added to the US list are the Informal Anarchist Federation/International Revolutionary Front in Italy, Armed Proletarian Justice, and Revolutionary Class Self-Defense in Greece.
The designation as a ‘Foreign Terrorist Organization’ carries significant consequences. It prohibits members of these groups from entering the United States, freezes any assets they may have within the country, and prevents them from receiving any material support from US sources.
The term ‘Antifa’ is a broad label applied to far-left groups that advocate for anti-fascism. In September, President Trump signed an executive order designating the movement as a ‘domestic terrorist organization.’
Antifa is often described as a movement rather than a rigidly structured organization. Supporters of the right and far-right frequently accuse Antifa of instigating violence at demonstrations. Washington alleges that Antifa groups adhere to anarchist or revolutionary Marxist ideologies, including anti-Americanism, anti-capitalism, and anti-Christian sentiments, which they use to incite and justify violent attacks both within and outside the United States.
The movement gained prominence in the United States following the election of Donald Trump in 2016. Portland, a city known for its demonstrations against the Trump administration’s immigration policies, has become a focal point in the administration’s campaign against Antifa.
