Bacon Leads House Colleagues on Legislation to Study Antifa Involvement in National Riots

Press Release

Washington, DC -- Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE-02) along with Reps. Rodney Davis (Ill-13), Tony Gonzales (TX-23), David Joyce (OH-14), Nancy Mace (SC-01), Maria Elvira Salazar (FL-27), and Rep. VanTaylor (TX-03) today introduced H.R. 4117 to establish the National Commission on Domestic Terrorist Attacks on the United States; to investigate the involvement of Antifa in the nation-wide riots of 2020.

The independent bipartisan commission is structured like the 9/11 commission and mirrors the proposed Jan. 6 Commission formed in H.R. 3233, which was passed by the House on May 19, 2021, with a vote of 252-175.

"While the majority of participants in demonstrations across the country in 2020 were peaceful, the events themselves became destructive due to organized pushes for violence by Antifa," said Rep. Bacon. "Many cities were burned, and businesses destroyed. Retired police officer David Dorn was shot and killed while protecting a business. People were harassed while simply eating at outside restaurants, and Americans across the nation feared for their lives. We're still seeing violence in Portland in recent weeks. Just as with the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, we must learn the truth about who is behind the violence and who is pushing the narrative to try and weaken our country and scare people into submission."

"Last year, I watched in horror as the violence and destruction wrought by Antifa drowned out the voices of Americans who were exercising their Constitutional right to peacefully protest and petition their government for change," said Rep. Joyce. "Destruction of property is unacceptable no matter if it's a small business, a place of worship, or the United States Capitol. Violence is unacceptable, no matter the political affiliation of who commits it. I'm proud to join my colleagues in introducing this bill and urge the Speaker to allow the House to vote on it. By understanding Antifa's involvement in last year's nation-wide riots, we can help preserve the First Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans and restore our nation's rule of law."

"Last year, organized cells of criminals hijacked overwhelmingly peaceful protests and used the legitimate grievances of others as cover to commit horrific acts of violence. They caused billions of dollars in property damage and attacked law enforcement officers and innocent bystanders in cities across the country. These riots often caused the most harm to the marginalized communities the criminals claimed to represent," said Rep. Mace. "Antifa bands represent the same threat to our nation posed by other terrorist groups. We must do all we can to understand and neutralize this dangerous movement before more are harmed."

"The violence and extremism that destroyed cities, businesses, and livelihoods across the United States last summer is unacceptable," said Rep. Salazar. "In America, we resolve our differences at the ballot box, through dialogue, and peaceful protest. We need greater transparency to help authorities address the direct threats that violent extremist groups like Antifa pose to our democracy."

Rep.Van Taylor stated, "When I served overseas in Iraq, I witnessed the frightening dangers and lawlessness anarchy brings. Such turmoil has no place in modern society and certainly not in America. Antifa's propensity to inflict violence and harm the innocent runs in direct opposition to our strongly held American values. As lawmakers, we have a duty to hold those who commit crimes accountable and I'm proud to support legislation to investigate Antifa's involvement in riots across the nation."

The Co-sponsors joined together to issue a call to their House colleagues:

"Americans deserve to know the truth about the underlying causes of the violent domestic terrorist sieges in our cities. They also deserve to feel safe no matter where they live, what time of day it is, or what situation it is. We call on all those who voted yes on H.R. 3233 to join us in passing this legislation. Americans are guaranteed the right to protest and should feel comforted knowing they will not be caught up in an attempted domestic hostage situation driven by a left-wing anarchist organization. We must find out what drives Antifa, to prepare in response to their violence."