Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem sparked controversy on Wednesday by comparing Antifa to several globally recognised terrorist organisations. She claimed that the antifascist movement was “just as dangerous” as Hamas, Hezbollah, ISIS, and MS-13.

“They are just as sophisticated as MS-13, as TDA [Tren de Aragua], as ISIS, as Hezbollah, as Hamas, as all of them, they are just as dangerous,” Noem said. “They have an agenda to destroy us, just like the other terrorists we’ve dealt with for many, many years.”

Moreover, Noem made these remarks during a White House roundtable that included several right-wing journalists such as Andy Ngo, Nick Sortor, and Katie Daviscourt, according to The Guardian.

Experts point out key differences

However, experts quickly noted that Antifa is vastly different from the terror groups mentioned. Organisations like Hamas and Hezbollah operate with military wings, command hierarchies, and control territory. They are also known for carrying out large-scale attacks, including bombings and kidnappings.

In contrast, extremism experts have repeatedly described Antifa as a decentralised movement without formal leadership or membership. Instead, it consists of activists who engage in street-level protests. Despite this distinction, the Trump administration earlier this year officially labelled Antifa a “domestic terrorist organisation.”

Trump administration intensifies its stance

Furthermore, Noem’s remarks came shortly after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order in September designating Antifa as a terrorist group. The decision marked an escalation in his administration’s long-running campaign against left-wing movements.

Just days before the announcement, Proud Boys leader Joe Biggs—who was convicted and later pardoned for his role in the January 6 riots—posted on X, “Who’s ready to go ANTIFA hunting? Because I know a few guys.”

During the roundtable, Attorney General Pam Bondi echoed Trump’s tough stance. “This is not activism, it’s anarchy,” she said. “We can’t and we will not let masked terrorists burn our buildings, attack our law enforcement and intimidate our communities.”

Trump links violence to Antifa

Additionally, Trump cited several examples of attacks against federal agents, which he attributed to Antifa. He even suggested that the man accused of shooting Charlie Kirk was a “far-left extremist.”

Nevertheless, law enforcement officials have yet to find any evidence connecting the suspect, Tyler Robinson, to any specific extremist group.

“The epidemic of leftwing violence and Antifa-inspired terror has been escalating for nearly a decade,” Trump said during the event.

Finally, it is worth noting that all those who spoke against Antifa at the roundtable were conservative influencers or right-wing journalists. They accused Antifa of being a terror organisation but failed to present any verifiable evidence.