Demand Progress

For the first time, Trump’s DOJ charged protesters as “Antifa-aligned” terrorists — just one month after Trump and his MAGA accomplices said they would pursue so-called “Antifa” as a major terrorist organization.^1,2

Trump is testing out whether he can get away with charging just about anyone protesting his government as terrorists. He’s called for jailing Governor J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, and pushed his DOJ to indict James Comey and Letitia James — all because they tried to hold Trump accountable.^3,4

And now Ted Cruz is pushing a bill he says would criminalize organizations that supported the No Kings protests.⁵ Trump is pursuing every possible way to silence his critics and punish political opponents: prosecution, violence, and authoritarianism. Congress must stop the White House immediately.

Sign the petition: Stop Trump from persecuting and silencing political opponents. Protect our First Amendment rights to dissent and free speech!

In response to Cruz’s bill to criminalize protesting Trump, journalist Mehdi Hassan said, “They want to ban protests. They want to kill the First Amendment.”⁶

This all comes just a few weeks after the release of a shocking national security memo (NSPM-7) that empowers the FBI and DOJ to go after people and organizations that oppose the White House’s far-right, extreme agenda.⁷

Trump’s authoritarian regime has brought terror to the streets of Chicago and Portland with armed federal agents, ICE, and military troops — all while Trump, Kash Patel, Pam Bondi, and Stephen Miller accuse critics, judges, protesters, elected Democrats, and many others of being terrorists or insurrectionists.

Our elected members of Congress must act immediately to end Trump’s persecutions and sprint towards full authoritarianism in America.

Sign the petition: End Trump’s military takeover and dangerous political persecutions now!

Sources:

1. USA Today, "'Antifa-aligned' men face terrorism charges in July ICE attack, FBI director says,” October 16, 2025.
2. The Intercept, "'Antifa' Protesters Charged With Terrorism for Constitutionally Protected Activity,” October 17, 2025.
3. BBC, "Trump calls for jailing of Illinois governor and Chicago mayor in immigration standoff,” October 8, 2025.
4. CNN Politics, "Letitia James, the New York attorney general who defeated Trump in court, indicted by Justice Department,” October 9, 2025.
5. Common Dreams, "Ted Cruz Says His Bill Will Allow DOJ to ‘Prosecute’ Those Who Fund No Kings Protests, Which Have Been Overwhelmingly Peaceful,” October 16, 2025.
6. Ibid.
7. Ken Klippenstein, "Trump’s NSPM-7 Labels Common Beliefs As Terrorism “Indicators”,” September 27, 2025.