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Trump's Memo Targets Left-Wing Groups as Terrorists

9/28/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Donald J. Trump signed a memorandum granting the president power to designate groups as "domestic terrorist organizations."
The memo focuses on left-leaning groups amid rising political tensions.
Legal experts warn it does not create new crimes and could misuse existing laws.
Critics say the memo targets "radical left" groups and defines "antifa" vaguely, risking censorship and overreach.

History

Historical Context

The 1996 Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act expanded U.S. government powers to designate terrorist organizations, enabling the FBI to monitor groups like the Weather Underground. This historical precedent resonates with recent actions by the Trump administration, which targeted left-leaning groups, raising concerns about civil liberties and potential governmental overreach reminiscent of past political repression in the U.S.

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Story summary

Donald J. Trump signed a memorandum granting the president power to designate groups as "domestic terrorist organizations."
The memo focuses on left-leaning groups amid rising political tensions.
Legal experts warn it does not create new crimes and could misuse existing laws.
Critics say the memo targets "radical left" groups and defines "antifa" vaguely, risking censorship and overreach.

1 / 2