Former NBC News journalist Chuck Todd expressed concern over former President Donald Trump’s decision to designate Antifa as a terrorist organization. Speaking with Chris Cillizza, a former CNN employee, on his podcast, Todd questioned the implications of such a designation.
“I don’t even know what Antifa is. I know what the definition of Antifa is. There is no group!” Todd said during the discussion. He added, “But what’s dangerous is that by designating it, who’s going to define who the group is?” Todd continued, “And if the Trump administration decides to say, ‘You, George Soros, are a part of this group that I designated,’ and you’re like, ‘No, I’m not,’ and it doesn’t matter.”
Cillizza agreed with Todd’s concerns about potential misuse or misidentification resulting from labeling Antifa as a terrorist organization.
Todd has previously discussed Antifa in public forums. In 2017 while hosting Meet the Press on NBC News, he interviewed Professor Mark Bray about his book “Antifa: The Anti-Fascist Handbook.” Bray’s work explores the history and activities of the loosely organized movement known for clashing with white supremacists at events such as the Charlottesville “Unite the Right” rally.
Bray described Antifa as lacking formal structure and clear membership criteria but noted its increasing visibility following violent confrontations at political rallies.
The conversation between Todd and Cillizza highlights ongoing debates regarding how groups like Antifa should be defined and regulated under federal law.
