President Donald Trump discussed the investigation of protesters and the possibility of withholding broadcast licenses from critics returning from overseas visits.
Trump targets the antifa movement as a “terrorist organization”
President Donald Trump signaled new actions against left-wing groups and targeted the anti-fascist antifa movement as a “terrorist organization.”
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump said the protesters who cried out at a dinner in Washington, D.C., were a “threat” that could lead to jail, and declared the anti-fascist anti-fasting movement as a terrorist organization seeking to track funds despite the group’s spread membership.
Trump also questioned the renewal of the TV station’s broadcast license, where the hosts ridiculed him on their comedy shows.
Trump’s new attack on critics on September 18 came when he returned home from a national visit to Britain. His comments highlighted a more radical style after deploying federal law enforcement and National Guard troops in Los Angeles and Memphis, Tennessee. Here’s what you need to know about Trump’s spurring investigation:
Trump calls protesters for “really destructive” at his DC dinner
Protesters yelled at Trump when they arrived September 9 for dinner at Joe’s seafood, Prime Steak and Stone Crab, just a few blocks from the White House. He aimed to show how DC became safe after controlling the metropolitan police station and sending out National Guard troops.
However, four women cried out to him with phrases such as “Free Palestine.” Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said protesters could face criminal investigations.
On September 15, Trump said he should be “put to prison” for assault as a “professional agitator” because “what they’re doing in this country is really destructive.”
Asked if they really think protesters should be jailed on September 18th, Trump said people should see how they act and how they behave.
“I certainly thought it was very inappropriate,” Trump said. “Yeah, I think they were a threat.”
Former vice president Kamala Harris, who lost to Trump in the 2024 election, called attacks on critics, including broadcasters, which are “a frontal attack on free speech.”
“What we’re witnessing is the complete abuse of power,” Harris said on social media on September 18th.
Trump designates antifa as a “terrorist organization”
Trump said on September 17th on social media that he designated the anti-fascist anti-fascist movement as a “terrorist organization” that “intensively investigates” it.
However, it was not clear what legal weight the declaration had, as Antifa is a loosely organized ideological movement without a clear leadership structure or hierarchy, experts said.
When asked how he would target them, Trump told reporters:
Trump previously told Fox News’ Story with Martha McCallum that investigators would learn how the movement was funded.
Trump: Broadcasters are not allowed to criticize him mercilessly
Trump congratulated ABC on social media for pausing host Jimmy Kimmel. CBS previously announced the end of host Stephen Colbert’s show in 2026, with Trump urging NBC to remove hosts Jimmy Fallon and Seth Myers.
Kimmel’s suspension said Brendan Kerr, head of the Federal Communications Commission, should take action against the hosts for his commentary on the murdered conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The FCC may revoke broadcast licenses granted to network stations. Trump told reporters that the FCC should consider what will be broadcast when considering licensing.
“When you have a network and have an evening show, all they do is hit cards, that’s all they do,” Trump said. “They are licensed. They are not allowed to do that.”
Illinois Gov. JB Pretzker told MSNBC’s “Briefing with Jen Psaki” that the move reflects Trump’s attempts to intimidate his critics.
“It’s obviously a threat,” Pretzker said. “They use the power of government to chase businesses.”
