It is "commonsense" to put the far-left antifa on the domestic terrorist organization, as it should be labeled along with a number of other domestic terrorist organizations across the United States, but FBI Director Christopher Wray has not yet taken action despite President Donald Trump's call to include the elusive amorphous organization, Rep. Jim Banks told Newsmax TV Monday.
"The president has talked about doing just that," the Indiana Republican said on Newsmax TV's "Spicer & Co." "Unfortunately, we're still calling on FBI Director Wray to do what is common sense to most of America."
"We're seeing what antifa is capable of as they orchestrate and coordinate many of these riots and violence activities as a part of these riots throughout the country," said Banks. "I appreciate the president. I certainly agree (and he) has made this bold statement that he's going to do this, but the FBI director still needs to do the right thing and make this happen."
Identifying antifa is difficult, though, as it has no clear leader or organization, and Banks said that "foremost, we need to identify them as what they are."
"I served in Afghanistan," said Banks. "I've seen what terrorism looks like, and if it if it looks like a terrorist, if it acts like a terrorist, we should call it a terrorist."
Trump has made it "very clear" that he intend to name antifa as a terrorism organization, and if that happens, that will enable federal, state and local law enforcement to take action against it, said Banks. "Hopefully it serves as a deterrent."
However, this does not mean that the message against the kind of police brutality that led to George Floyd's death should be disregarded, said Banks.
"I've been in touch with the African American pastors in my own district, as we've had riots in Fort Wayne," said Banks. "As I talk to black pastors in my district they tell me that. The violence isn't occurring from members of their community. It is occurring from these outside forces."
And as the riots continue, local leaders and government must stand up and enforce the rule of law to prevent further violence, said Banks.
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Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
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