FBI Director Kash Patel announced a major financial investigation targeting Antifa and far-left militant groups, aiming to dismantle their donor networks and funding sources. Speaking alongside Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Patel emphasized the strategy: \u201cWe are following the money. Money never lies.\u201d He described these groups as \u201corganized criminal thugs, gang bangers, and yes, domestic terrorists.\u201d<\/p>\n
Patel detailed close collaboration with the Treasury Department to track accounts and entities financing Antifa\u2019s activities both domestically and internationally. \u201cWe will not rest until we uncover every single source of funding, donor, organization, and financial support that exists,\u201d he vowed, promising a nationwide effort. Patel accused previous administrations of allowing these groups to hide and conspire.<\/p>\n
This crackdown follows President Donald Trump\u2019s September directive designating Antifa as a domestic terrorist organization, citing its use of violence and terrorism to achieve political goals. The order mandates federal agencies to \u201cinvestigate, disrupt, and dismantle\u201d Antifa\u2019s operations and backers. Trump called Antifa a \u201csick, dangerous, radical left disaster\u201d and pledged investigations into its funders.<\/p>\n
Simultaneously, Patel announced the FBI\u2019s termination of partnerships with activist groups like the Anti-Defamation League and Southern Poverty Law Center, criticizing past cooperation as \u201cactivism dressed up as counterterrorism\u201d that endangered Americans. Both organizations expressed respect for law enforcement while maintaining their missions.<\/p>\n
Patel framed these moves as restoring the FBI to its constitutional role, vowing to pursue \u201cfinanciers, fixers, and foreign actors\u201d behind domestic terror. \u201cThe money trail leads to the truth \u2014 and the truth will lead to justice,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n