Columbia News

Senator Eric Schmitt announced on November 13, 2025, that the U.S. State Department has designated four violent groups associated with the international Antifa network as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs). The Missouri senator shared details of the designations and his office's involvement in advocating for this move.

In a post on November 13, Schmitt wrote: "Today, State officially rolled out its FTO designations for four violent terror cells in the international Antifa network:

• Antifa Ost (Germany)

• International Revolutionary Front (Italy)

• Armed Proletarian Justice (Greece)

• Revolutionary Class Self Defense (Greece)"

He further detailed his office’s prior actions in another post from the same day: "That’s why, back in October, my office sent a detailed letter to the State Department, and later met with their team to make the case for designating Antifa’s foreign networks as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTO).

You can read my letter here:

https://t.co/OnEsVgfzEz"

Addressing broader concerns about the reach of these organizations, Schmitt stated: "Americans should understand that these aren't isolated local gangs. They are chapters in the same transnational movement that fuels leftist violence from Atlanta to Athens.

These militants are in regular communication with each other, coordinating and mobilizing across borders."

The Foreign Terrorist Organization designation is an official classification by the U.S. government intended for foreign groups engaged in premeditated acts of terrorism against noncombatants. This status imposes legal consequences including immigration restrictions and financial sanctions. In recent years, there has been growing debate over how best to address international militant groups and their influence within domestic protest movements.

Senator Schmitt represents Missouri in the United States Senate. He previously served as Missouri's Attorney General before being elected to federal office.