President Trump’s crackdown on violent extremist groups—now treating Antifa like the mafia—has reignited the national debate over domestic terrorism and law enforcement’s power to defend American values.
Van Duyne’s RICO Strategy Targets Extremist Violence
Rep. Beth Van Duyne of Texas is leading a charge in Congress to treat violent groups like Antifa as organized crime, aiming to give law enforcement new tools to dismantle extremist networks. Her proposed Stop Financial Underwriting of Nefarious Demonstrations and Extremist Riots (Stop FUNDERs) Act would allow authorities to prosecute not just those who commit violent acts, but also individuals and organizations that fund or coordinate such activities. This approach leverages the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, historically used to take down the mafia, now repurposed to address modern threats undermining public safety and order.
People need to wake up whether blue red or don’t care about politics. #Antifa is the enemy of all Americans and there is a round table happening right now. Here is a clip. Everyone should listen to the entire meeting. pic.twitter.com/QGgiZI4YHy
— Don’s Daughter (@GenXamerica) October 8, 2025
Planned Attack Sparks National Outrage and Policy Shift
The urgency of Van Duyne’s legislation became clear after a July 4 ambush at the ICE Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas. According to U.S. Attorney Susan Larson, nearly a dozen assailants in tactical gear attacked the facility, then ambushed responding officers with a hail of gunfire. The week-long manhunt ended with the arrest of Benjamin Hanil Song, identified as a repeat offender involved in violent extremist groups. Van Duyne pointed to failures in the justice system, noting Song’s prior aggravated assault arrest in 2020, which never resulted in prosecution—a gap she argues enabled further violence.
Constitutional Limits and Protecting Law Enforcement
Van Duyne and her supporters contend that violent, coordinated riots and attacks on law enforcement cross a constitutional line. She dismissed claims that Antifa’s actions fall under First Amendment protections, equating them to mafia-style crimes that threaten government institutions and family safety. Her proposal is supported by a companion bill in the Senate, introduced by Sen. Ted Cruz, and by a separate measure to prohibit riot-related offenders from accessing Small Business Administration aid. This legislative push reflects growing frustration among conservatives who see previous administrations as having enabled lawlessness and eroded respect for law enforcement’s vital role.
Trump Administration Escalates Federal Response
The Trump White House has elevated the issue to the national stage, with President Trump officially designating Antifa as a domestic terror organization. At a recent roundtable, Trump vowed to pursue those funding extremist groups, signaling a more aggressive federal posture. The Department of Justice has launched investigations into the coordinated and financed nature of recent riots, particularly those targeting ICE officers. Data from the first six months of the new administration show an 830% increase in attacks on ICE personnel, stretching from California to Nebraska to New York—a trend the administration sees as evidence of the urgent need for robust action.
Antifa are hosting a covert militancy training conference in Philadelphia from Oct. 3–5. The recruits are taught how to evade being identified when committing violent crimes. Watch the full interview: https://t.co/WqTQMLUyBa pic.twitter.com/L7C5qA7VTW
— Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) October 3, 2025
Balancing Security and Liberty Amid National Unrest
While critics have voiced concerns over potential civil liberties violations, supporters of Van Duyne’s and Trump’s approach argue that decisive measures are essential to restore law and order. By treating violent extremists with the same seriousness as organized crime, they believe Congress can better protect American families, uphold the Constitution, and reinforce the principle that no group is above the law. As the debate continues, many conservatives see these steps as overdue corrections to years of perceived government overreach, leniency, and erosion of traditional values.
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Texas Rep. Van Duyne wants to treat Antifa like the mafia amid crackdown