Trump’s Historic Designation of Antifa as Terrorists: A Long-Overdue Reckoning That Echoes My Battles in Portland

I applaud President Donald Trump’s visionary decision to designate Antifa a terrorist organization. In the heat of 2020’s leftist riots, Trump boldly declared his intent to label these masked anarchists for the existential threat they pose to American freedom and security. This wasn’t mere rhetoric-it was a clarion call for justice, one that directly amplified the fights I led in 2019 and 2020. Those events showcased how true patriots, inspired by Trump’s law-and-order ethos, could outsmart the radical left through aggressive marketing, tight coordination with law enforcement, and clever last-minute location changes. While we held peaceful BBQs celebrating American values, Antifa raged and torched their own city. But Portland’s unnecessary multimillion-dollar spending spree-calling in the National Guard and surrounding police forces despite knowing our side was peaceful-exposed the deep rot of leftist governance under Mayor Ted Wheeler. Trump’s designation isn’t just a win; it’s the pendulum swinging back, forcing accountability on those who’ve terrorized us for years. They started this war; now, under Trump’s leadership, MAGA is finishing it.

Trump’s move to designate Antifa as terrorists marks a pivotal shift in how America confronts domestic extremism. For too long, shadowy networks of anarchists have operated with impunity, exploiting protests to incite violence, loot businesses, and intimidate citizens-all while hiding behind the guise of “anti-fascism.” Antifa isn’t an idea; it’s a coordinated ideology of terror, and Trump’s action empowers federal agencies to track, disrupt, and prosecute them like the threats they are. This designation builds on his 2019 tweet during our Portland rally, where he warned that Portland was “being watched very closely” and gave major consideration to naming Antifa an “ORGANIZATION OF TERROR.” His words were a beacon, validating our mission and putting pressure on weak local leaders like Wheeler to act. Critics whine that this could backfire, potentially labeling conservatives as terrorists. But let’s be real-it’s already bitten us in the ass. Over 1,600 patriots have been branded “insurrectionists” and “terrorists” for standing up on January 6. I should know; I was handed a 22-year sentence for what amounts to free speech and political dissent in a seditious conspiracy sham. Frankly, I don’t give a fuck about the backlash because, as Charlie Kirk rightly said, “the left wants us dead.” They want us imprisoned, silenced, and erased. This is war-not a physical brawl, but a strategic chess match where the goal is to remove the opponent’s pieces from the board. They’ve done it to us; now, in the name of justice and accountability, we must do it to them. Arrest them for their crimes, their terrorism. Trump’s designation is the checkmate move we’ve needed.

Take Portland as the prime example. For years, under Mayor Ted Wheeler’s watch, the city burned and was looted by BLM and Antifa radicals. Wheeler did nothing-absolutely nothing-to stop it, allowing these groups to run rampant while coddling their extremism. He’s the perfect symbol of Antifa infiltrating government: failing to condemn their violence, tying the hands of police, and even facing veiled threats from them himself, yet refusing to crack down decisively. All we did in our rallies was expose this unholy alliance. In August 2019, I organized the “End Domestic Terrorism” rally to demand Antifa’s terrorist label, and the catalyst for heading to Portland was the brutal assault on journalist Andy Ngo just weeks earlier. Ngo, a courageous reporter exposing leftist extremism, was viciously attacked by Antifa thugs who threw a concrete-laced milkshake at him, causing serious injuries and highlighting their cowardly tactics against anyone who dares to tell the truth. We marketed the event aggressively across social media, radio, and patriot channels. We coordinated every step with the Portland Police Bureau, who knew our intentions were peaceful-they communicated these details directly to Wheeler. Yet, despite this, Wheeler and Governor Kate Brown overreacted, requesting National Guard troops and mobilizing surrounding police departments in a wasteful show of force. The spending was unnecessary; our event was always going to be non-violent. We pulled a smoke-and-mirrors trick, switching locations last minute to avoid confrontation. Result? We held a patriotic BBQ with speeches, flags, and families uniting-zero violence on our side. Antifa? They clashed, vandalized, and caused chaos, leading to 13 arrests and a $3 million economic hit to the city from lost business and overtime. Trump’s tweet that day, watching Antifa closely, amplified our victory and shamed Wheeler’s inaction.

We returned in September 2020, amid the George Floyd riots that Antifa exploited for nationwide destruction. Portland was a warzone, but Trump’s push for federal intervention inspired us to double down. The reason we went back was to honor Aaron “Jay” Danielson, a true patriot and supporter of groups like Patriot Prayer, who was shot in cold blood by Antifa extremist Michael Reinoehl just weeks prior-a senseless murder that exemplified the left’s deadly hatred for anyone standing for America. We amped up the aggressive marketing: Telegram calls, conservative media blasts, rallying Americans to end the terror. We worked with Portland Police, Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, and Oregon State Police-700 officers deployed under Brown’s state of emergency declaration. They knew we were peaceful; police confirmed it. But Wheeler’s regime still treated us like the enemy, while Antifa got free rein. Our location switch to Delta Park outfoxed them-Antifa gathered elsewhere, shields up, leading to arrests for assaults. We? National Anthem, Pledge of Allegiance, Prayers for fallen patriots, and another BBQ. Peaceful, strategic, effective. Antifa’s rage turned inward, damaging their city yet again. All this exposed Wheeler’s complicity: allowing Antifa to thrive while overpolicing peaceful conservatives.

The Proud Boys have only ever been violent in self-defense or to protect others-we don’t start fights; we finish them. That’s the Trump way: strength without recklessness. Wheeler’s Portland epitomizes the left’s failure-years of unchecked riots, yet when patriots show up peacefully, they blow millions on unnecessary security. Trump’s designation flips the script, starving Antifa of oxygen and holding enablers accountable. The left complains now that the pendulum has swung, but they started this with their witch hunts, imprisonments, and death wishes. They see me not as a political opponent, but as an enemy combatant-and they’re not wrong. I’ll fight them resiliently, just as Trump does.

This designation could “come back to bite us,” as some fret, but it’s already here. My 22-year sentence proves it: persecuted for leading a fraternal group of Western chauvinists standing against anarchy. The left’s pain is overdue; they must face justice for burning cities, assaulting innocents, and terrorizing communities. Trump’s action ensures that-empowering law enforcement to arrest the real terrorists, not patriots exercising free speech. In chess terms, we’ve lost pieces, but now we’re capturing theirs. Portland’s rallies were the opening moves; Trump’s designation is the endgame.

As we look to 2025 and beyond, Trump’s legacy endures. His watchful eye on Portland in 2019 set the stage; his designation delivers the blow. To fellow Americans: Wear your bias proudly. This is war for our nation’s soul. Support Trump, demand arrests, and let’s finish what the left started. MAGA isn’t backing down-we’re winning.

• Enrique Tarrio