U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order designating Antifa as a “domestic terrorist organization,” a move that legal experts say lacks statutory authority.

In a statement released Monday, the White House described Antifa as a “network of Radical Left terrorists” aiming to overthrow the government through violence and agitation. The order directs federal agencies to “investigate, disrupt, and dismantle” any illegal operations linked to Antifa, while also targeting individuals or groups that provide financial support.

The document cited what it called Antifa’s “long history of terrorizing communities,” including attacks on law enforcement officers, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel, conservative event attendees, and Trump supporters. It further claimed that the recent killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk was carried out by a “Radical Left terrorist.”

However, legal specialists quickly raised concerns about the measure. “There is no legal authority to actually designate a domestic group as a terrorist organization, even assuming that Antifa is an organization and not just an ideology,” Mary McCord, a former Justice Department national security official, told The New York Times.

Similarly, The Washington Post noted that U.S. law allows for the designation of foreign terrorist organizations but not domestic ones. Critics warned the order could be used to justify broader crackdowns on political opponents.

Trump previously floated the idea of labeling Antifa a terrorist organization in 2020, amid nationwide unrest following the police killing of George Floyd, but no legal action followed. The new order comes amid heightened political tensions and debate over the roots of political violence in America. While Democrats argue both sides have engaged in violence, Trump has insisted “most of the violence is on the Left.”