Is Portland Lost?
Segment #632
Taking the long view the answer is probably yes. There is a sufficient number of crazy people in the western part of the state to make this happen. Short term it will be a battle where much of the dark side of this movement will be investigated and revealed.
What is Antifa?Antifa, short for "anti-fascist," refers to a decentralized, militant political movement that opposes fascism, racism, white supremacy, and far-right ideologies through direct action, including protests, counter-demonstrations, and sometimes confrontational tactics like property damage or physical altercations. It emerged from early 20th-century European anti-fascist groups (e.g., Antifaschistische Aktion in Weimar Germany) and gained prominence in the U.S. during the 1980s punk scene, evolving into a broader network in the 2010s amid events like the 2016 election and the 2017 Charlottesville rally. Antifa is not a single organization but a loose ideology or tactic adopted by various autonomous groups, often symbolized by black bloc attire (all-black clothing and masks for anonymity). Participants view it as a defensive response to perceived threats from the far right, though critics label it as a violent extremist movement.
Recent US Government Designation of Antifa
On September 22, 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order designating Antifa as a "domestic terrorist organization."
whitehouse.gov
This move formalizes long-standing threats from Trump's first term and was prompted by the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on September 10, 2025, which the administration attributed to Antifa-linked violence.
lemonde.fr
The order describes Antifa as a "militarist, anarchist enterprise" that seeks to overthrow the US government through violence, riots, assaults on law enforcement, and suppression of free speech.
whitehouse.gov
It directs federal agencies to investigate, disrupt, and prosecute Antifa operations, including those providing "material support," and explicitly calls for actions against funders.
whitehouse.gov
This designation is unprecedented for a domestic entity, as the US lacks a formal list for homegrown terrorist groups due to First Amendment concerns.
forbes.com
Critics, including House Democrats, argue it could stifle dissent and target left-wing activism broadly, given Antifa's decentralized nature.
politico.com
A concurrent House resolution (H.Res.26) in the 119th Congress echoes this, deeming certain Antifa conduct as domestic terrorism.
congress.gov
As of October 15, 2025, no specific arrests or charges under this designation have been publicly reported, but the administration held a White House roundtable on October 8 to discuss enforcement.
reuters.com
Claims of Institutional FundingThe executive order and subsequent administration statements emphasize probing Antifa's "elaborate means... to conceal its funding sources."
whitehouse.gov
Trump has publicly called for investigations into "those funding ANTIFA" at the "highest legal standards."
cnn.com
However, as a decentralized movement without formal structure, bank accounts, or centralized revenue, Antifa's financing remains opaque and contested.
factually.co
No verified evidence of direct "institutional" (e.g., government or large-scale corporate) funding has emerged; instead, probes focus on alleged dark money networks tied to progressive nonprofits.Key Allegations and EvidenceAdministration-aligned research groups and media reports highlight potential indirect links, but fact-checks stress these are largely unsubstantiated or inferential:
Funding
Open Society Foundations (George Soros)
Progressive philanthropy funding civil rights and anti-racism groups; accused of indirect support via grants to protest-adjacent NGOs.
Low: No direct transfers to Antifa; claims rely on broad ecosystem links.
foxnews.com +1
Tides Foundation/Network
Donor-advised funds channeling money to activist causes, including bail and legal aid for protesters.
Medium: Documented grants to mutual aid groups, but not earmarked for violence.
thenationaldesk.com +1
Arabella Advisors Network
Manages funds for left-leaning nonprofits; alleged to support "Riot Inc." via anonymous donations.
Medium: Ties to progressive orgs with protest involvement, per investigative books.
thenationaldesk.com +1
Neville Roy Singham Network
Tech billionaire's groups accused of foreign-influenced funding for radical activism.
Low: Speculative links to international left-wing causes; under DOJ scrutiny.
thenationaldesk.com +1
National Lawyers Guild
Provides legal support at protests; called Antifa's "legal auxiliary."
High: Active in bail and defense, but framed as civil liberties work.
thenationaldesk.com +1
Crowdfunding (e.g., Patreon, FundRazr, GoFundMe)
Direct grassroots donations for bail, medical aid, and supplies via Antifa International's Defense Fund.
High: Transparent; over $250K disbursed since 2015 to 800+ people, plus merch sales.
factually.co +1
Ongoing federal probes, including subpoenas for platform data, aim to clarify these flows, but as of mid-October 2025, they yield more allegations than indictments. factually.co +1 Direct billionaire funding remains unproven, often critiqued as politically motivated exaggeration. factually.co
Antifa's core funding stays grassroots, aligning with its autonomous ethos. For updates, monitor official DOJ announcements.