Southern Poverty Law Center
Coverage of Southern Poverty Law Center in the Nexus archive.
- Southern Poverty Law Center pleads not guilty in federal fraud case
The Southern Poverty Law Center, known for monitoring hate groups, pleaded not guilty to federal fraud charges alleging it failed to disclose donor funds were used to pay informants in extremist organizations.
- Southern Poverty Law Center pleading not guilty in federal case that alleges organization secretly funded hate groups
The Southern Poverty Law Center has pleaded not guilty in a federal case alleging the organization secretly funded hate groups. Attorney Abbe Lowell entered the plea on behalf of the organization regarding a superseding indictment with added details about charges first announced in April.
- Southern Poverty Law Centers pleads not guilty in federal fraud case
The Southern Poverty Law Center pleaded not guilty to federal fraud charges. The charges allege that the organization defrauded donors by not disclosing funds would be used to pay informants in extremist organizations.
- Georgia teacher receives almost $300K settlement over Charlie Kirk assassination post
A Georgia teacher received a $287,500 settlement after a lawsuit against her school district over Facebook comments regarding Charlie Kirk's assassination. The district initially placed her on indefinite leave and encouraged her resignation, claiming the post violated policies, while the Southern Poverty Law Center argued her speech was constitutionally protected.
- 'Baseless': Cair sues Florida governor for terrorism designation alongside drug cartels
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has sued Florida Governor Ron DeSantis over a law designating it a 'domestic terrorist organization,' arguing the designation is 'baseless' and could shut down its operations. The law, HB 1471, also targets the Muslim Brotherhood and 'antifa,' with DeSantis recommending 90 other groups for similar classification under the new legislation.
- Civil rights group sues Florida officials for designating CAIR a terrorist organization
A civil rights group sued Florida officials for designating the Council of American Islamic Relations (CAIR) as a domestic terrorist organization. The lawsuit challenges the designation as unconstitutional, citing lack of procedural safeguards, and seeks to block its enforcement. Governor Ron DeSantis announced the designation under a new law (HB 1471) allowing Florida to label organizations as terrorist groups.
- How Defending Free Speech Can Unite Unlikely Allies
The Trump administration faces accusations of undermining First Amendment rights through actions like tear-gassing protestors at an ICE facility, suing a media outlet, and targeting a poll worker's social media post. These actions have spurred a cross-partisan coalition defending free speech, including Republican governors, businesses, and conservative media outlets, despite differing policy views. The Department of Justice has also indicted the Southern Poverty Law Center, raising concerns about threats to democratic accountability.
- More states tighten voting rules ahead of midterm elections
Nine states, including Florida, Utah, and Mississippi, have enacted voting laws this year that impose stricter requirements for state and local elections, drawing criticism for potentially disenfranchising eligible voters. Proponents argue the laws protect election integrity, while opponents claim they disproportionately burden marginalized groups. A Utah review found only 27 noncitizen voters out of 2 million registered voters.
- DeSantis recommends Muslim group CAIR be labeled a ‘terrorist’ organization
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his intent to recommend the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) be designated a terrorist organization under a new state law, HB 1471. CAIR, which describes itself as a Muslim civil liberties group, opposed the law, citing constitutional concerns, while DeSantis argued it would prevent 'foreign and extremist influence.'
- More states tighten voting rules ahead of midterm elections
Nine U.S. states (Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Utah, and West Virginia) have enacted laws to restrict voting access, with proponents arguing these measures enhance election integrity. Critics, including organizations like the Southern Poverty Law Center, contend the laws disproportionately disenfranchise eligible voters, particularly marginalized groups. Key figures such as Florida's Ron DeSantis and Utah's Deidre Henderson support the policies, while advocates like Sonya Williams Barnes of the Southern Poverty Law Center highlight concerns over noncitizen voting and voter suppression.
- More states tighten voting rules ahead of midterm elections
At least nine states, including Florida, Utah, and Mississippi, have enacted voting laws this year that restrict access to voting, citing election integrity. Critics argue these laws disproportionately burden older voters, people with disabilities, and others with name discrepancies, while supporters claim they prevent noncitizen voting, which data shows is rare.
- SPLC reacts to DeSantis veto of measure allowing student volunteers at poll places
Governor Ron DeSantis vetoed a bill allowing high school students to volunteer at polling locations, citing concerns about potential violations of a state law prohibiting single-party poll workers. The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) and other organizations supported the legislation, which passed unanimously in both chambers of the Florida legislature.
- The Needle: Trump Won’t Sign Affordable Housing Act, USPS Plans To Delay Mail-In Ballot Delivery and Suppress Votes, National Mall Not Looking Good, Stephen Miller in Peril, Stop Putting His Face Everywhere, and CFPB Mass Layoffs Blocked For Now
President Donald Trump refused to sign the 21st Century Road to Housing Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at lowering housing costs and restricting corporate buyers. The USPS plans to delay mail-in ballot delivery in non-compliant states, while a federal judge blocked Trump's executive order to create a federal voting list. Stephen Miller faces scrutiny over FBI documents, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's mass layoffs were temporarily halted.
- My Nazi lover: Inside the SPLC’s anti-hate racket
The article discusses the Southern Poverty Law Center's (SPLC) controversial anti-hate initiatives, suggesting they engage in tactics that involve working closely with adversaries, as implied by the phrase 'sleeping with the enemy.'
- Southern Poverty Law Center names Ryan Haygood president and CEO
The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) has named Ryan Haygood as its new president and CEO, succeeding Bryan Fair. Haygood, currently CEO of the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice, will take office in August as the organization faces an 11-count indictment related to a program using paid informants. The SPLC denies the charges, which include wire fraud and money laundering.
- Top SPLC official allegedly funneled $1.2M to neo-Nazi informant who was secret romantic partner
A top Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) official is accused of diverting over $1.2 million in donor funds to a confidential informant who infiltrated a neo-Nazi organization. Prosecutors allege the informant was also the official’s secret romantic partner.
- Top SPLC official allegedly funneled $1.2M to neo-Nazi informant who was secret romantic partner
A top Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) official is accused of using a fake company to funnel $1.2 million in donor funds to a neo-Nazi informant who was their secret romantic partner. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) alleges the SPLC's Intelligence Project director shared funds with the informant through a shell company called 'Tech Writers' between 2015 and 2021.
- Top SPLC official allegedly funneled $1.2M to neo-Nazi informant who was secret romantic partner
A top Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) official is accused of using a fake company to funnel over $1.2 million in donor funds to a neo-Nazi informant who was also their secret romantic partner. Prosecutors allege the funds were used for personal expenses, contradicting SPLC's public claims about using donations to combat extremism.
- Foundations are emphasizing their community services to counter narratives of fraud and partisanship
A network of charitable foundations is launching a campaign to highlight their community contributions amid increased scrutiny from the federal government and populist movements. The Council on Foundations aims to counter narratives portraying philanthropy as partisan or fraudulent, citing political attacks and policy proposals that threaten nonprofit resources.
- Foundations are emphasizing their community services to counter narratives of fraud and partisanship
The Council on Foundations is launching a campaign to highlight the positive community contributions of charitable organizations amid increased scrutiny from the federal government and populist movements. The effort aims to counter perceptions of philanthropy as partisan or fraudulent, following political critiques and legislative proposals targeting nonprofits.
- Foundations are emphasizing their community services to counter narratives of fraud and partisanship
A national network of charitable foundations is launching a campaign to highlight their community contributions amid increased scrutiny from the federal government and populist movements. The Council on Foundations aims to counter perceptions of philanthropy as partisan or fraudulent, citing political attacks and policy proposals that threaten nonprofit resources.
- My uncle Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr would have opposed profiting from hate
Dr. Ben Carson, citing his diverse family background and the teachings of his uncle Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., criticizes the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) for allegedly profiting from hate groups through financial payments to extremist organizations. The article references a federal indictment alleging SPLC paid sources linked to White supremacist, neo-Nazi, and Ku Klux Klan groups.
- How the Southern Poverty Law Center drives demonization of its conservative foes
The article claims the Southern Poverty Law Center's 'hate map' has been used by banks, tech companies, and others to debank, censor, and blacklist conservatives. It suggests the SPLC's actions contribute to the demonization of conservative individuals and groups.
- WATCH: Hearing turmoil as Jasmine Crockett unloads on MLK's niece in wild racially-charged rant
Rep. Jasmine Crockett accused Republicans of using civil rights activist Alveda King, niece of Martin Luther King Jr., as a prop to deflect from racism allegations during a hearing on the Southern Poverty Law Center's funding. Crockett criticized the GOP for hypocrisy in targeting SPLC while ignoring racial dynamics and referenced Donald Trump's 2017 Charlottesville comments. She suggested Republicans should instead call on Martin Luther King III or Bernice King to address the issue.
- WATCH: Hearing turmoil as Jasmine Crockett unloads on MLK's niece in wild racially-charged rant
Rep. Jasmine Crockett accused Republicans of using Alveda King, a niece of Martin Luther King Jr., as a prop to deflect from racism allegations during a hearing on the Southern Poverty Law Center's funding. She criticized GOP members for not addressing the 'elephant in the room' and referenced Donald Trump's 2017 Charlottesville remarks to challenge Republican claims about the SPLC.
- Southern Poverty Law Center CEO grilled at testy hearing about DOJ charges for secretly funding KKK
Southern Poverty Law Center CEO Bryan Fair testified before the House Judiciary Committee about Justice Department allegations that the group secretly funded the KKK and other extremism it claims to oppose. The hearing followed charges that the anti-racism organization covertly supported the extremism it publicly opposes.
- SPLC releases ‘Year in Hate’ report amid House grilling over fraud indictment
The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) released its 2025 'Year in Hate & Extremism Report' during a House Judiciary Committee hearing addressing its criminal indictment for allegedly paying undercover sources to 'foment hate.' The report claims hard-right movements have transitioned from 'extreme to establishment' under the Trump administration, while House Republicans criticized SPLC for mislabeling groups and Democrats defended its civil rights mission.
- Hard-right groups have expanded their influence across US government, report finds
The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) reports that hard-right groups have expanded their influence in the US government, identifying 1,263 hate and anti-government groups in 2025. The US government is pursuing a federal fraud case against the SPLC, which was indicted two months prior.
- Hard-right groups have expanded their influence across US government, report finds
A report by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) reveals that hard-right groups have expanded their influence in the US government. The report identified 1,263 hate and anti-government groups in 2025, released less than two months after the US government began a federal fraud case against SPLC.
- Indicted SPLC chief faces House grilling over alleged secret payments to KKK members
The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) interim CEO Bryan Fair is set to testify before the House Judiciary Committee regarding allegations the nonprofit secretly paid extremist groups like the Ku Klux Klan using donor funds. Federal prosecutors indicted the SPLC in April for financial crimes, including concealing payments to extremist members, while the organization denied wrongdoing and claimed the charges are politically motivated.
- Controversial DOJ official eyed by 'Broadview 6' was involved in Chicago deportation blitz, source says
A controversial Justice Department official, Aakash Singh, has been linked to the Chicago-area deportation campaign Operation Midway Blitz and faces scrutiny over potential ties to the 'Broadview Six' case. Charges against protesters were dropped after allegations of prosecutorial misconduct, and a Tennessee judge dismissed an indictment citing Singh's pressure on prosecutors. Singh is also accused of rushing a fraud indictment against the Southern Poverty Law Center.
- The Southern Poverty Law Center’s long-running scam is getting even shadier
The article claims the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) has been running a scam, with its real goal being to damage the reputations of legitimate groups not associated with racism or extremism. The SPLC's stated mission of civil rights is alleged to be a cover for this activity.
- SPLC asks judge to weigh sanctions against DOJ for sending out unsigned indictment copy
The Southern Poverty Law Center requested a judge to consider sanctions against federal prosecutors after the DOJ shared an unsigned and unstamped copy of a superseding indictment with members of the media. The SPLC is seeking judicial action over the DOJ's handling of the indictment copy.
- Far-left Southern Poverty Law Center reimbursed Klan members for cross-burnings: feds
The Southern Poverty Law Center allegedly reimbursed white nationalists and Ku Klux Klan members using donor funds to remain in the groups, including covering costs for cross-burnings, according to a Justice Department indictment. The indictment claims the center made payments to maintain surveillance on the groups.
- DOJ expands indictment against SPLC, alleging $4M secretly funneled to KKK and extremist groups
The Department of Justice expanded an indictment against the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), alleging it secretly funneled over $3 million in donor funds to extremist groups like the Ku Klux Klan between 2014 and 2023. The 11-count indictment includes charges of wire fraud, false statements to a bank, and conspiracy to commit money laundering, with prosecutors claiming SPLC paid informants linked to racist organizations while publicly denouncing them. An SPLC attorney denied the allegations.
- DOJ expands indictment against SPLC, alleging $4M secretly funneled to KKK and extremist groups
The Department of Justice expanded an indictment against the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), alleging it secretly funneled over $3 million in donor funds to extremist groups like the KKK, United Klans of America, and the National Socialist Movement between 2014 and 2023. The 11-count indictment includes charges of wire fraud, false statements to a bank, and conspiracy to commit money laundering, with prosecutors alleging SPLC used fictitious entities to conceal payments to informants linked to racist organizations.
- DOJ says it has superseding indictment against Southern Poverty Law Center
The DOJ has issued a superseding indictment against the Southern Poverty Law Center. The new indictment does not include new charges or name additional defendants beyond those in the original April version.
- Southern Poverty Law Center seeks to have criminal charges dismissed
The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) filed a motion to dismiss criminal charges brought by the U.S. Department of Justice, alleging vindictive prosecution based on statements by President Donald Trump and other officials. The SPLC argues it is being punished for criticizing Trump's policies and political allies, while the DOJ claims the organization's informant program aided far-right groups.
- Southern Poverty Law Center labels DOJ indictment vindictive prosecution in dismissal bid
The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is seeking to dismiss a case brought by the Trump administration, calling the prosecution selective and vindictive. The group's filing cites a 'top-down, retributive campaign' and references comments from President Trump.
- Southern Poverty Law Center Accuses Justice Dept. of Vindictive Prosecution
The Southern Poverty Law Center accuses the U.S. Department of Justice of vindictive prosecution. The SPLC, based in Montgomery, Alabama, has spent decades investigating groups like the Ku Klux Klan and white supremacy organizations.