WASHINGTON, D.C. — The State Department on Thursday launched one of the most far-reaching counterterrorism actions of the Trump Administration, formally designating four militant Antifa-aligned groups in Germany, Italy, and Greece as Specially Designated Global Terrorists and announcing its intent to classify them as Foreign Terrorist Organizations effective Nov. 20.
The move marks a major escalation in the Administration’s long-promised campaign to dismantle international networks tied to violent “anti-fascist” movements — groups U.S. officials say use anarchist and Marxist ideologies to justify political violence, bombings, and targeted assaults across Europe.
Officials said the designations support National Security Presidential Memorandum-7, President Trump’s directive to disrupt extremist organizations that engage in politically motivated violence aimed at destabilizing democratic institutions.
The four groups named Thursday are Antifa Ost in Germany, the Informal Anarchist Federation/International Revolutionary Front (FAI/FRI) in Italy, and two Greek organizations: Armed Proletarian Justice and Revolutionary Class Self-Defense.
Antifa Ost
Germany-based Antifa Ost — also known as Antifa East and Hammerbande — has been implicated in a string of assaults targeting individuals it labels “fascists” between 2018 and 2023. The group is also accused of carrying out coordinated attacks in Budapest in early 2023.
Hungary formally designated Antifa Ost as a terrorist organization in September.
FAI/FRI
Italy’s FAI/FRI is a long-standing militant anarchist network with claimed affiliates in Europe, South America, and Asia. Since 2003, the group has taken responsibility for threats, mail bombs, and explosive devices targeting courthouses and institutions it characterizes as “capitalist.”
Armed Proletarian Justice
The Greek group has attempted or carried out improvised explosive device attacks against government targets, including a December 2023 bombing attempt near the Greek riot police headquarters.
Revolutionary Class Self-Defense
Also based in Greece, the group has linked its attacks to anti-capitalist ideology, opposition to state authority, and support for Palestine. It has claimed responsibility for IED attacks on the Greek Ministry of Labor and on Hellenic Train’s offices in 2024 and 2025.
Sanctions and Legal Impact
The terror designations freeze all property and financial interests of the groups within U.S. jurisdiction and bar American citizens and companies from conducting business with them. Providing material support or resources is a federal crime.
Foreign individuals or entities that engage with the designated groups may also face secondary sanctions, the State Department warned.
The action was taken under section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act and Executive Order 13224, and the Foreign Terrorist Organization designations will take effect once published in the Federal Register.
The State Department said the United States will continue to target violent Antifa-aligned networks abroad, emphasizing its intent to sever financial pathways and operational support for groups that U.S. officials argue are increasingly coordinating across borders.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.