House Judiciary Committee Probes Southern Poverty Law Center
The House Judiciary Committee is increasing its scrutiny of the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) following a federal indictment that claims the organization diverted millions in donations to extremist groups. This move comes as the committee, led by Chairman Jim Jordan, seeks documents from SPLC President Brian Fair.
In a letter to Fair, which was first reported by FOX News Digital, Jordan indicated that the committee is examining any potential coordination between the SPLC and both the Biden Justice Department and FBI, who allegedly used left-leaning nonprofits for various purposes.
Jordan’s request for documents needs to be fulfilled by April 30. This development aligns with Senate Republicans ramping up their inquiries into the SPLC amidst indications from Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche that there could be more legal action related to the organization.
The investigation has broadened from the Justice Department to Congress, intensifying scrutiny of SPLC’s practices. The group is known for labeling multiple mainstream conservative and religious organizations as “hate groups,” which has drawn criticism for its perceived bias. Jordan also mentioned previous investigations where the Justice Department allegedly relied on SPLC in enforcing civil rights matters.
Documents released reveal that the Justice Department maintained regular communication with the SPLC during the Biden administration, including early access to federal law enforcement data and allowing SPLC staff to provide training to federal prosecutors. Jordan noted that fresh allegations from the indictment bring up even more questions about SPLC’s operations.
In addition, a contentious memo from the FBI’s Richmond office classified certain Catholics as vulnerable to violent crime and used the SPLC as a resource for these claims. Although this memo surfaced earlier this year, Wray later retracted it, calling it a severe infringement on religious freedom.
Recently, the Department of Justice indicted the SPLC, accusing it of wire fraud, making false statements to a federally insured bank, and conspiracy to launder money over claims that the organization misled donors for over a decade.
Prosecutors assert that SPLC misrepresented how donor funds were allocated, connecting payments to informants involved with groups such as the Ku Klux Klan and the neo-Nazi National Socialist Movement. They pointed out apparent contradictions in SPLC’s actions, noting that it condemned these groups publicly while simultaneously paying informants affiliated with them.
Jordan emphasized Congress’s role in protecting Americans from extremist violence, mentioning ongoing monitoring of the collaboration between the Biden administration and SPLC regarding federal civil rights issues.
In a related focus, the Senate Judiciary Committee recently looked into a woman previously connected to SPLC who was nominated by Biden for a lifetime judgeship on the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. The committee is demanding that individuals associated with SPLC clarify their knowledge about the organization’s extremist connections.
Just before the Justice Department announced charges against SPLC, Fair stated that the federal investigation seemed more politically motivated than genuine. He contended that the group’s focus had shifted away from using paid informants, while also recognizing the dangers faced by people who infiltrate extremist organizations.
Fox News Digital has reached out to SPLC and to the chambers of Fair for comments.
