U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday, officially designating the left-wing extremist movement Antifa as a domestic terrorist organization. The order characterizes Antifa as a "militarist, anarchist enterprise" that calls for the overthrow of the U.S. government and uses illegal means, including violence and terrorism, to achieve its goals. It directs federal agencies to investigate, disrupt, and dismantle all illegal operations conducted by Antifa or individuals claiming to act on its behalf, including efforts to identify and prosecute those who fund the movement.

The executive order, as detailed in the White House fact sheet and news reports, consists of three main sections. Section 1 defines Antifa as a terrorist threat, citing its coordinated efforts to obstruct federal law enforcement through armed standoffs, riots, assaults on law enforcement (including ICE officers), and doxing of political figures. Section 2 formally designates Antifa as a "domestic terrorist organization" and instructs all relevant federal departments and agencies to utilize their authorities to investigate, disrupt, and dismantle any illegal operations, including those involving terrorist actions, and to prosecute those providing material support. Section 3 outlines general provisions, stating the order must be implemented within existing law and that it does not create enforceable rights for any party.

The announcement follows the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on September 10, 2025, which the White House claims was linked to Antifa, citing bullet casings engraved with anti-fascist messages. The order is a revival of a pledge made by Trump during his first presidency and is part of a broader crackdown on left-leaning political entities.

The White House asserts that Antifa engages in a pattern of political violence to suppress lawful political speech and that its activities have led to a significant increase in assaults on ICE officers. The order is expected to lead to investigations into the funding sources of Antifa and other violent left-wing groups.

Antifa is not a single organization with a central leadership or membership list; it is described as a decentralized network of far-left activists and anarchists who often wear black clothing and masks at riots.

The designation of Antifa as a domestic terrorist organization is unprecedented, as the U.S. does not have a specific law defining domestic terrorism or a mechanism to designate domestic groups as terrorist organizations. While federal law allows for the designation of foreign terrorist organizations, which enables asset freezes and criminalizing material support, the executive order does not attempt to use those powers for a domestic group.

An Israeli drone strike in the southern Lebanese town of Bint Jbeil on Sunday, killed five people, including four U.S. citizens—three children and their father—according to Lebanese officials, though the U.S. State Department has disputed this claim.

The Israeli military confirmed the strike, which targeted a Hezbollah militant operating within a civilian population, and acknowledged the deaths of several uninvolved civilians, stating the incident is under review. The attack has sparked international condemnation and renewed concerns over the fragile ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported striking and eliminating a Hezbollah operator in Bint Jbeil, using a drone to fire two missiles at a motorcycle and a Mercedes car. Lebanon’s Health Ministry confirmed five fatalities, including three children and their father, with the mother critically injured.

Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri stated the father and three children held U.S. citizenship, a claim disputed by a U.S. State Department spokesperson. The Lebanese Foreign Minister confirmed the mother was injured and in critical condition.

The attack drew strong condemnation from Lebanese leadership. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam called the strike a "massacre" and a "crime against civilians," describing it as a message of intimidation aimed at people returning to their villages in southern Lebanon. President Joseph Aoun, who was in New York for the UN General Assembly, condemned the strike, urging the international community to pressure Israel to stop its actions, stating, "There can be no peace over the blood of our children." The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) expressed being "shocked and outraged" by the killing of the three children, calling attacks on children "unconscionable" and demanding an immediate end to hostilities.

The strike occurred despite a US-brokered ceasefire agreement signed in November 2024, which required both Israel and Hezbollah to withdraw forces from southern Lebanon and halt attacks. Israel has continued to conduct strikes in Lebanon almost daily since the ceasefire, and Israeli forces remain in occupation of five Lebanese hilltop points near the border.

Hezbollah claims it has no military presence south of the Litani River and attributes its refusal to disarm to Israel's continued attacks. The ongoing conflict has already caused significant casualties and displacement, with the previous monthslong war killing approximately 4,000 people in Lebanon. The Israeli military maintains it is targeting Hezbollah militants and infrastructure, while Lebanon and international bodies argue the strikes violate the ceasefire and international law.