Massive SPLC-linked grant under fire as watchdog exposes ties to middle school programs

A watchdog group exposed at least $3.85 million in taxpayer funding linked to the Southern Poverty Law Center, including a $2.5 million NIH-backed University of Michigan grant for integrating SPLC's "Learning for Justice" curriculum into middle school classrooms. The program has drawn criticism from Republican lawmakers and watchdog organizations over its content, which some argue presents activist messaging as equivalent to hate groups. The Department of Health and Human Services stated the program is no longer being funded and has been redesigned.