In Philadelphia, anti-fascist activists are getting ready for the release of the local Proud Boys leader from prison. He was sentenced due to his involvement in the January 6 insurrection, and local Antifa members suspect he might receive a presidential pardon, allowing him to return and continue spreading hate.

Meanwhile, in Miami, members of Antifa—part of the left-wing movement known for both peaceful and violent protests—are preparing for the anticipated immigration crackdown. They hope that the severe campaign promises made by President-elect Donald Trump will not materialize, but are ready to react if they witness civil rights violations.

An anti-fascist network in Ohio is also on alert, bracing for a potential future event akin to a “George Floyd Moment” that could ignite protests led by their militant faction.

Similarly, anti-fascist groups across California are watching closely to see how Trump’s second term unfolds, contemplating when they might need to don their all-black attire and take to the streets.

“‘If things get bad enough’ — that’s our mindset right now — there will always be a response,” stated Daryle Lamont Jenkins, an anti-fascist activist and the executive director of the One People’s Project. “As the old saying goes: ‘Don’t start nothing, won’t be nothing.’”

The Antifa movement is often unpredictable.

Few scholars of domestic extremism entirely grasp the movement, which its supporters refer to as a political philosophy, while critics label it as anything from a violent menace to a destructive force aimed at undermining America.

Throughout Trump’s first term, Antifa gained visibility as they clashed with far-right groups that grew bolder because of Trump’s presidency and rhetoric. Despite his loss in 2020, Antifa has continued to grow, aligning closely with the Black Lives Matter movement and adopting tactics of civil disobedience and property damage to protest against law enforcement practices targeting people of color.

As Trump begins his second term, anti-fascist activists are now confronting a new scenario where the leader they oppose has moved further right.

To grasp what anti-fascists are planning in the upcoming months and years with Trump in office, YSL News conducted interviews with over a dozen self-identified Antifa activists from across the nation, as well as researchers and scholars studying the movement.

The findings illustrated a landscape of active dissent, simmering resentment, and preparedness for confrontation when necessary. Anti-fascist activists universally view Trump as a definitive fascist, fearing he may implement harsh policies that violate the rule of law and civil liberties. If that occurs, they assert they will take measures—whether through protests, civil disobedience, or even violent actions.

Across the country, anti-fascists are concerned that the Trump administration will promptly target three groups: immigrants, transgender individuals, and women.

Trump’s communications director, Steven Cheung, criticized antifascist activists for their discontent towards the president-elect.

“These disturbed individuals clearly are suffering from a severe case of Trump Derangement Syndrome that has clouded their judgment, compelling them to live in an alternate reality devoid of truth or reason,” said Cheung. “President Trump won a historic election with overwhelming support because the American populace backs his America First approach, which will unite the country following four years of disastrous leadership by Democrats.”

Experts on extremism predict a resurgence of far-right extremist groups in the U.S. under Trump.

Experts suggest that with promises of pardons for supporters involved in the January 6 events and Trump’s connection with prominent extremist figures, these groups may experience a revival after January 2025. Anti-fascists warn that if this occurs, they will defend their neighborhoods against their adversaries, ready to fight if necessary.

However, what sets the far-left apart from the far-right is their rejection of pointless violence and terrorism, particularly against individuals, according to anti-fascists and experts who spoke with YSL News.

Activists from Antifa who spoke with YSL News expressed strong opposition to acts of terrorism such as mass shootings and the recent killing of Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare. They emphasized that these forms of violence are associated with groups like neo-Nazis and other far-right extremists, rather than Antifa itself.

Nonetheless, some anti-fascists acknowledged the potential for isolated individuals within their ranks to resort to violence out of disenfranchisement and political dissatisfaction.

Mark Bray, a history lecturer at Rutgers University and author of “Antifa: The Anti-Fascist Handbook,” warned that if leaders like Trump pursue authoritarianism, this could drive individuals to adopt violent means of protest. He noted, “History shows that such environments can lead people to take extreme actions, and we are entering uncertain times.”

Javed Ali, who directed counterterrorism efforts at the National Security Council during Trump’s first term, raised concerns about a potential upsurge in violence from dissatisfied far-left groups. Although Antifa claims a non-violent stance, during politically charged times, the movement has historically not refrained from employing force, he noted.

“We’ll need to observe how situations evolve; if enforcement actions mirror the unsettling nature of the Japanese internment camps from the 1940s, could it ignite someone’s response? Possibly,” Ali remarked.

Antifa’s Commitment to Mostly Peaceful Protest

In the eyes of American anti-fascists, they and their allies are currently facing a threat from Trump and his Make America Great Again initiative.

Concerns are mounting over policies like Project 2025 — a plan reportedly influenced by white supremacists that they believe endangers vulnerable communities — alongside Trump’s endorsement of conspiracy theories such as the Great Replacement. Anti-fascists are increasingly worried about the nation’s trajectory.

However, this doesn’t indicate that Antifa is ready to take to the streets in violence.

An article on the anti-fascist platform It’s Going Down encapsulates the sentiments shared with YSL News: “Don’t Panic, Organize: Facing Trump’s Second Term” serves as a guide for Antifa members to mobilize in the early months of a new Trump administration.

“Channel the energy from the streets back into your local communities by getting organized and empowering institutions of social life,” it advises. “This could involve forming a union at your workplace, a tenant organization in your apartment complex, community assemblies, or student groups at schools.”

While the imagery of Antifa often features masked individuals committing acts of violence, the truth about their activities is more routine. As explained by Stanislav Vysotsky, a criminology professor and author of “American Antifa,” the movement largely focuses on organizing events, fundraising, and investigating local white supremacist activities.

“The primary feedback from anti-fascist and anarchist voices is focused on community engagement—providing support and establishing mutual aid networks,” he clarified. “They’re using these initiatives to prepare for potential challenges.”

Nonetheless, the effectiveness of such organizing efforts has its limits.

Anti-fascists indicated that they are content to assist their local communities as long as they don’t perceive the federal government as a direct threat to their well-being.

Antifa Will Remain Cautious Until Provoked

Creating resilient communities and supporting networks is a critical component of anti-fascism. However, equally important is responding to threats against those communities.

What actions Antifa will take in response to any governmental measures remains uncertain. Many activists discuss “crossing lines” or challenging events, which could lead to protests. However, individuals interpret these “lines” differently.

Historical context may provide some insights.

According to Mark Pitcavage, a senior research fellow at the Anti-Defamation League’s Center on Extremism, anti-fascist activism typically responds to provocations rather than organizing large protests against Trump, as he believes that Antifa may lack sufficient numbers. They are likely to remain dormant until provoked.

“Pro-Trump groups might hold events or demonstrations that could engage Antifa, especially if these groups display aggressive or militaristic behavior,” Pitcavage noted. “Such actions could easily inspire a response from Antifa.”

The nationwide protests following George Floyd’s murder clearly marked a significant mobilization of the far-left that outstripped anything seen in recent memory, according to Vysotsky and others.

According to Vysotsky, while most of the individuals protesting weren’t actively identifying as anti-fascists, the presence of Antifa organizers, groups, and supporters boosted the crowds.

Vysotsky mentioned that another incident similar to the murder of Floyd could ignite action from the far-left once more, but other triggers could also incite people.

“It’s difficult to foresee what might provoke outrage and lead to mass demonstrations nationwide,” Vysotsky remarked. “My strongest guess would be a systematic attempt at mass deportations, as that could rally individuals to protest and engage in efforts to halt the deportations.”

This sentiment was echoed by anti-fascists.

According to Jenkins and other Antifa members speaking to YSL News, a prominent deportation campaign—especially one that actively targets communities supporting undocumented migrants—could lead to widespread protests and potentially more.

“People have their limits— they aren’t willing to have their lives disrupted for political reasons,” Jenkins asserted. “The whole ‘kids in cages’ discussion resonates with everyone; but when it’s your own child that’s at risk and they’re coming into your community, that’s when the situation alters significantly.”

Concerns Over Investigations and Prosecution by Antifa

Trump has repeatedly claimed that he considers Antifa a terrorist group and believes it should be classified as such.

However, this is complicated from a legal perspective.

The United States lacks a domestic terrorism statute under which Antifa could be categorized. Nevertheless, anti-fascists recognize Trump’s hostility towards them and are apprehensive that he might leverage federal law enforcement against them.

“Laws must be upheld, and if not, we will have to determine our next steps from there,” Jenkins said. “If they aren’t enforced, we will have entered a new chapter in this nation’s narrative.”

In recent years, Antifa has faced substantial scrutiny from state attorneys. A notable case in San Diego last year resulted in two individuals being convicted of conspiracy-to-riot related to their involvement as part of an anti-fascist group opposing Trump supporters at a 2021 rally.

Activists from the anti-fascist movement informed YSL News that they are worried about the potential targeting by both federal and state prosecutors, prompting them to adopt measures known as “OpSec” or Operational Security in their organizing efforts.

However, terrorism experts and anti-fascists themselves express greater concern over the danger posed by unpredictable individuals or “lone wolves” within their ranks than from organized Antifa as a whole.

Is Antifa Capable of Launching Terror Attacks?

Research conducted last year by the National Institute of Justice highlights that since 1990, the primary threat to American public safety from domestic terrorism has stemmed from far-right groups.

White supremacists and neo-Nazis have caused numerous fatalities in various violent incidents, including mass shootings and bombings. With the political landscape shifting sharply rightward, terrorism experts are now increasingly concerned about a potential rise in threats from disgruntled anti-fascists who may consider taking extreme actions themselves.

Ali, a former counter-terrorism official from the Trump administration, believes there is a significant risk of a resurgence. “It wouldn’t shock me if some individuals responding to Trump’s actions or policies decide to engage in violent activities,” he noted.

Nevertheless, anti-fascists insist that unpredicted or deliberate acts of violence—especially large-scale violence—are generally not aligned with their movement’s methods. Many Antifa activists conveyed to YSL News that mass shootings and bombings are typically associated with far-right extremists, and they do not envision leftist militants committing similar acts.

“The violence attributed to the radical left mostly involves physical confrontations, like punches,” stated Bray, “So, I really don’t foresee it occurring.”