Trump issues a warning to Antifa protesters, saying the backlash could be violent

President Donald Trump issued a warning to the militant protesters of the Antifa movement, saying that the backlash from their victims could be much more violent than they expect.

'Potentially much more violent'

The president made the comments in an interview with The Daily Caller published Wednesday.

“These people, like the Antifa," the president said, "they better hope that the opposition to Antifa decides not to mobilize. Because if they do, they’re much tougher.

"Much stronger," Trump continued. "Potentially much more violent."

Antifa is short for "anti-fascist," but the participants have been accused by those on the right of unprovoked harassment and violence against those they disagree with politically.

"And Antifa’s going to be in big trouble," Trump said. "But so far they haven’t done that and that’s a good thing."

The president was also asked to comment about the protest and attack on the home of Fox News host Tucker Carlson, while his wife was there alone. Protesters chanted outside and caused some damage to his home, including vandalism.

“I spoke to Tucker," the president responded. "I think Tucker’s a great guy — and I think it’s terrible. They were actually trying to break down [Tucker’s] door.”

'Tougher than them. And smarter than them'

President Trump continued on to say that the counter-Antifa forces were smarter and tougher than Antifa.

“[Antifa] better hope that the other side doesn’t mobilize,” Trump explained, “Because if you look, the other side, it’s the military. It’s the police. It’s a lot of very strong, a lot of very tough people. Tougher than them. And smarter than them.

“They’re sitting back and watching, and they’re getting angrier and angrier,” he concluded.