1. United States
2. Maine
3. Letter

I am writing to express my deep concern regarding President Trump's potential designation of antifa as a foreign terrorist organization. This proposed action is not only legally questionable but also poses a significant threat to civil liberties and the right to protest in our country. Antifa, short for anti-fascist, is primarily a domestic movement against fascism in the United States. It lacks the cohesive organizational structure and foreign ties typically associated with groups designated as foreign terrorist organizations. The Trump administration has not presented any credible evidence to support such a designation. The implications of this potential designation are alarming. If implemented, it could allow prosecutors to bring material support charges against perceived antifa supporters, with penalties of up to 20 years in prison. This broad application could lead to widespread crackdowns on left-wing activism and free speech, affecting social media users, universities, and even insurance coverage for progressive groups. Experts warn that the impact of such a designation could be "catastrophically dangerous" and have a "cascading effect across civil society." It appears to be an attempt to use counterterrorism tools to target political opponents and left-wing activists, rather than address any genuine foreign threat. I urge you to oppose any efforts to designate antifa as a foreign terrorist organization. Instead, please focus on protecting the constitutional rights of all Americans to engage in peaceful protest and political dissent. Our democracy depends on the ability of citizens to express their views without fear of disproportionate legal consequences. Thank you for your attention to this critical issue. I look forward to hearing about the steps you will take to safeguard our civil liberties and prevent the misuse of counterterrorism designations for political purposes.