'They’re not allowed to do that': Trump renews calls to punish protesters, broadcasters

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump said protesters who yelled at him during a dinner in Washington, D.C., were “a threat” who could be jailed and declared the anti-fascist antifa movement a terrorist organization whose funding he would try to track despite the group’s diffuse membership.

Trump also questioned the renewal of broadcast licenses for television stations whose hosts ridicule him on their comedy shows.

Trump’s renewed attacks on critics on Sept. 18 came while flying home from a state visit to the United Kingdom. His comments underscored a more militant style after deploying federal law enforcement and National Guard troops to Los Angeles, D.C., and Memphis, Tennessee. Here's what to know about investigations Trump spurred:

Trump calls protesters at his DC dinner 'really subversive'

Protesters yelled at Trump as he arrived Sept. 9 for dinner at Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab, a couple of blocks from the White House. He aimed to demonstrate how DC had become safer after he took control of the Metropolitan Police Department and sent National Guard troops.

But four women shouted at him with phrases such as "free Palestine." Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said protesters could face criminal investigations.

On Sept. 15, Trump said the protesters "should be put in jail" under racketeering charges as "professional agitators" because "what they are doing to this country is really subversive."

Asked Sept. 18 if he really thought protesters should be jailed, Trump said people should look at how they acted and the way they behaved.

"Certainly, I thought it was very inappropriate," Trump said. "Yeah, I think they were a threat."

Former Vice President Kamala Harris, who lost to Trump in the 2024 election, called his attacks on critics, including against broadcasters, a "frontal assault on free speech."

"What we are witnessing is an outright abuse of power," Harris said on social media Sept. 18. "This administration is attacking critics and using fear as a weapon to silence anyone who would speak out."

Trump designates antifa a 'terrorist organization'

Trump said on social media Sept. 17 that he was designating the anti-fascist antifa movement as a "terrorist organization” that would be "thoroughly investigated."

But it was not clear what legal weight the proclamation carried because antifa is a loosely organized ideological movement without a clear leadership structure or hierarchy, experts said.

Asked how he would target them, Trump told reporters: "We’re going to find out. We’re going to see. People have been talking about it for a long time."

Trump had earlier told "The Story with Martha MacCallum" on Fox News that investigators would find out how the movement was funded.

Trump: Broadcasters 'not allowed to' criticize him relentlessly

Trump congratulated ABC on social media for suspending host Jimmy Kimmel. CBS previously announced the end of host Stephen Colbert’s show in 2026, and Trump urged NBC to get rid of hosts Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers.

Kimmel’s suspension came after Brendan Carr, head of the Federal Communications Committee, said the network should take action against the host for his commentary about slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

The FCC could potentially revoke broadcast licenses granted to network stations. Trump told reporters the FCC should consider the content of what is broadcast when considering licenses.

"When you have a network and you have evening shows and all they do is hit Trump. It’s all they do," Trump said. "They’re licensed. They’re not allowed to do that."

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker told MSNBC’s "The Briefing with Jen Psaki" that the move reflected Trump trying to intimidate his critics.

"It’s intimidation, clearly," Pritzker said. "They're using the power of the government to go after businesses."