On October 18, 2025, the streets of Washington, D.C. pulsed with the energy of thousands protesting under the banner of the 'No Kings' movement—a nationwide wave of demonstrations aimed squarely at the Trump administration and its controversial policies. But among the sea of placards and chants, one figure stood out: George Conway, the high-profile conservative attorney and co-founder of the anti-Trump Lincoln Project. Conway, never shy about his opposition to former President Trump, made a striking statement by donning a shirt emblazoned with the words, "I am Antifa."
The image of Conway, captured by reporters from the Daily Caller News Foundation and widely circulated on social media, quickly became a flashpoint in an already charged political atmosphere. According to The Post Millennial, Conway's attendance and attire were first reported by Hudson Crozier of the Daily Caller News Foundation. The rally itself was just one of many 'No Kings' protests erupting in cities across the country, with demonstrators voicing their opposition to Trump-era policies and what they described as threats to democracy and the rule of law.
Conway's public stance against Trump is nothing new. His criticism dates back to the president's first term, during which Conway's then-wife, Kellyanne Conway, served as a senior counselor in the White House. The couple's political divide was a frequent subject of national fascination, but George Conway never wavered in his vocal opposition. In 2025, his criticism took on an emotional intensity. On 'The Bulwark Podcast,' Conway broke down in tears as he decried what he saw as the president's "threats against democracy" and the "rule of law."
At the 'No Kings' rally, Conway was not alone in signaling support for Antifa, the loosely organized anti-fascist movement. According to The Post Millennial, others at the D.C. demonstration—and even at parallel rallies in places like Toronto, Canada—carried Antifa flags and displayed slogans critical of Trump. The atmosphere was tense, with signs and chants calling out the former president's policies and legacy. Some protesters carried more provocative imagery: the Daily Caller reported sightings of signs reading "8647," a phrase interpreted in some circles as a call to "kill" or "murder," and at least one poster depicting a guillotine.
The protest organizers, for their part, emphasized a commitment to nonviolent action. The 'No Kings' website underscored peaceful resistance, but the run-up to the event saw radical groups like CrimethInc—an international anarchist collective—urging supporters to engage in what they called "anti-authoritarian uprisings." As reported by the Daily Caller, CrimethInc encouraged "direct action planning," which they defined as mobilizing people for public disruption, even at the risk of arrest. This call echoed tactics seen during the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, stoking concerns about potential unrest.
The timing of the rally was especially significant. Just weeks earlier, President Trump had declared Antifa a domestic terrorist organization—a move that sent shockwaves through the political landscape. Announcing the designation on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote, "I am pleased to inform our many U.S.A. Patriots that I am designating ANTIFA, A SICK, DANGEROUS, RADICAL LEFT DISASTER, AS A MAJOR TERRORIST ORGANIZATION." He went on to pledge a thorough investigation of those funding Antifa, promising to deploy "the whole of the federal government to target and dismantle the organized left-wing domestic terrorist movement in the United States," as reported by Breitbart News and Fox News.
The White House echoed this hardline stance. A senior official told CNN that the Antifa designation was "just one of many actions the president will take to address left-wing organizations that fuel political violence." The move came in the wake of the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University, a killing allegedly motivated by left-wing ideology. In response, the administration directed federal agencies to "utilize all applicable authorities to investigate, disrupt, and dismantle any and all illegal operations," according to the Daily Caller.
The crackdown on Antifa extended beyond rhetoric. On October 16, 2025, the Department of Justice announced its first federal terrorism case against two individuals linked to the movement. The pair were indicted for allegedly coordinating a July 4 attack on the Prairieland Detention Center, a federal immigration facility in Alvarado, Texas. FBI Director Kash Patel described the incident as "a planned and coordinated terrorist attack on the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas, where armed extremists tried to murder U.S. officers on July 4th." The attack left one police officer shot in the neck, an act that authorities say was inspired by Antifa's radical ideology.
While Antifa describes itself as an anti-fascist organization, critics—including Fox News and The Post Millennial—point to a history of violence, doxxing, and intimidation by some of its members, particularly during protests in cities like Portland, Oregon. The group's decentralized structure has made it difficult for law enforcement to pin down leadership or coordinate a response, further complicating the federal crackdown.
Despite the controversy, Conway appeared to embrace the symbolism of his shirt. When the Daily Caller News Foundation posted a photo of him at the rally, Conway shared the image on the leftwing social platform Bluesky, writing, "Thanks for the pic, @dailycaller.bsky.social! Be sure to tag me and @ofthebraveusa.bsky.social with your best, most fun #NoKings content!" He did not respond to requests for comment from reporters, but his social media activity suggested a willingness to lean into the moment, even as critics accused him of supporting an extremist group.
The spectacle of a prominent conservative attorney publicly aligning himself with Antifa, especially in the wake of its terrorist designation, drew fierce reactions from across the political spectrum. Supporters of Trump seized on the moment as evidence of what they view as dangerous radicalism on the left, while Conway's allies saw it as a bold act of resistance against what they perceive as authoritarian overreach.
Meanwhile, the 'No Kings' movement itself remains something of a Rorschach test for American politics. To some, it represents a peaceful, grassroots rejection of authoritarianism and a defense of democratic norms. To others, it is a vehicle for radical elements to sow chaos and violence. As the dust settles from the October 18 rally, one thing is clear: the battle lines over protest, dissent, and the limits of political expression in America are as sharply drawn as ever.
The events in Washington, D.C. serve as a vivid reminder of the nation's deep divisions—and the lengths to which both sides are willing to go to make their voices heard.
