Trump defends designating antifa terrorist group after Charlie Kirk killing
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President Donald Trump defended his latest efforts to crack down on far-left extremism following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on “The Story” Thursday.
A week after Kirk’s assassination, Trump wrote in a Truth Social post that he would designate the radical left-wing, anti-fascist antifa group as a “terrorist organization.”
“It should have been done a long time ago,” Trump told Fox News anchor Martha MacCallum.
DONALD TRUMP JR. WARNS POLITICAL VIOLENCE IS ‘NOT GOING BOTH WAYS’ AS HE MOURNS CHARLIE KIRK’S DEATH
Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old suspect in Kirk’s assassination, has been charged with aggravated murder and six other felonies by Utah prosecutors. His mother said Robinson had “become more political,” leaning left and supporting “pro-gay and trans rights,” according to court documents.
The Kirk assassination suspect’s casings and unfired rounds include the etchings “Hey fascist! Catch!” and “Bella ciao,” a reference to an Italian, anti-fascist anthem sung during World War II.
No motive has been confirmed in the investigation. And there is no reported evidence that Robinson is a member of antifa.
When MacCallum asked Trump if he believes there is a “vast terrorist movement” that targeted Kirk and well and his life and the lives of New York City CEOs, he replied, “You never know, do you? And we’ll find out, maybe.”
He went on to call antifa a “sick group.”
“It’s a sick group, very very sick group…They love burning the American flag,” Trump said. “We’re going in, and we’re saying it incites riots, and therefore you go to jail for one year if you burn the American flag.”
While the Supreme Court ruled flag burning is protected by the First Amendment, the Trump administration will argue to courts that the act fuels “incitement of riots,” the president explained.
“Antifa causes tremendous incitement, and the things they say and the things they do are horrible,” Trump argued.
While Trump maintained he has always been in favor of free speech, he criticized “crazy” reactions to Kirk’s assassination.
“I see people saying things – they’re crazy,” Trump argued. “Maybe they’re drugged out, maybe they’re some other problem.”
The commander-in-chief praised Kirk’s “incredible” following, revealing he had told the late Turning Point USA (TPUSA) founder he had a “good chance” of being president one day.
“He was very compelling,” Trump reflected. “I’ve never seen anybody capture a group of people like he captured youth.”
TRUMP EYES REMARKS AT CHARLIE KIRK MEMORIAL IN ARIZONA, BLAMES LEFT FOR SUSPECT’S RADICALIZATION
TPUSA unanimously elected Kirk’s widow Erika to lead the organization as its new CEO.
Erika Kirk delivers an emotional speech two days after Charlie Kirk’s killing, with a tribute message and photo of him displayed on the podium. (Turning Point USA)
“No one will ever forget my husband’s name and I will make sure of it,” Erika vowed. “My husband’s mission will not end, not even for a moment.”
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Erika, Trump, and Vice President J.D. Vance are expected to deliver remarks at Kirk’s memorial in Arizona Sunday.
