Justice Department Opens Criminal Probe into Southern Poverty Law Center Over Paid Informants

The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) announced on Tuesday that it is facing a criminal investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) regarding its historical use of paid informants to infiltrate extremist organizations.

The nonprofit public interest law firm stated that the Trump administration appears to be preparing a case against the organization or its employees. “Although we don’t know all the details, the focus appears to be on the SPLC’s prior use of paid confidential informants to gather credible intelligence on extremely violent groups,” said CEO Bryan Fair in a statement obtained by the Associated Press.

Fair emphasized that the SPLC’s informant program was designed to monitor and mitigate threats of violence within extremist groups, with findings consistently shared with law enforcement agencies at local and federal levels.

“When we began working with informants, we were living in the shadow of the height of the Civil Rights Movement, which had seen bombings at churches, state-sponsored violence against demonstrators, and the murders of activists that went unanswered by the justice system,” Fair stated. “There is no question that what we learned from informants saved lives.”

In response to the investigation, Fair affirmed the organization’s commitment to defending itself, its staff, and its mission: “We will vigorously defend ourselves, our staff, and our work.”

Background and Mission of the SPLC

The Montgomery-based SPLC was established in 1971 with the explicit goal of combating white supremacist groups in the aftermath of the Civil Rights Movement. Over the decades, however, the organization’s work has increasingly faced criticism, particularly from conservative figures who argue that its efforts—including tracking extremist groups, promoting tolerance, and pursuing litigation against bigotry—are politically biased and ideologically driven.

Escalating Tensions with Federal Agencies

Last year, FBI Director Kash Patel announced the termination of a long-standing research partnership between the SPLC and the federal government, effectively severing ties between the two entities.

The DOJ’s criminal probe has reignited concerns that the Trump administration may be attempting to weaponize the Justice Department during its second term. Critics warn that the investigation could be part of a broader effort to target political opponents and critics under the guise of legal action.