June 8, 2020
Michael Zweiback, former federal prosecutor and terrorism expert, was featured on CBS Los Angeles following President Trump’s announcement that the U.S. government would designate ‘Antifa’ as a terrorist organization.
President Donald Trump tweeted that, “The United States of America will be designating ANTIFA as a Terrorist Organization.” He also threatened to take military action if ongoing demonstrations and protests don’t stop. The law called the Insurrection Act would allow him to send active duty troops to any uprising he sees as ‘threatening the state and its residents’.
However, legal analysts are quick to note that, despite occasional pushes to create one, no current statute gives the U.S. authority to declare domestic groups as terrorist organizations in the same way that it can foreign groups.
Mr. Zweiback, a former federal prosecutor and terrorism expert, told CBS that while the federal government through its federal law enforcement partners can investigate acts of violence, “the act under which he is talking… only applies to international terrorism groups.” Furthermore, Mr. Zweiback added that President Trump “views his power as somewhat limitless.. and gets ahead of what he’s actually able to do.”
To watch the interview, click here.
