Your support helps us to tell the story Read more Support Now From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it. Your support makes all the difference. Read more
President Donald Trump has lashed out at the Southern Poverty Law Center after it was charged in a criminal investigation by his Department of Justice, calling it “one of the greatest political scams in American History.”
The civil rights group, known for tackling domestic extremism, was hit with an 11-count indictment by the DOJ this week alleging a multi-year effort to conceal payments worth at least $3 million made to informants working undercover to expose right-wing hate groups such as the KKK.
“The Southern Poverty Law Center, one of the greatest political scams in American History, has been charged with FRAUD,” the president wrote on Truth Social late Thursday.
“This is another Democrat Hoax, along with Act Blue, and many others. If it is true, the 2020 Presidential Election should be permanently wiped from the books and be of no further force or effect!”
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche unveiled the charges against the SPLC at a press conference, and was flanked by FBI Director Kash Patel, accusing the organization of deceiving donors, banks, and federal regulators about its use of funding through “sham” accounts and “fictitious companies.”
open image in gallery Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel announce charges against to the Southern Poverty Law Center this week, accusing the group of funneling over $3 million dollars into the pockets of white supremacist and extremists groups ( Getty )
“The SPLC is a nonprofit entity that purports to fight white supremacist and racist hatred,” Blanche said. “The SPLC was not dismantling these groups. It was instead manufacturing the extremism it purports to oppose by paying sources to stoke racial hatred.”
“Money never lies,” added Patel. “And they got caught.”
But SPLC CEO Bryan Fair hit back telling The Independent: “We are outraged by the false allegations levied against SPLC – an organization that for 55 years has stood as a beacon of hope fighting white supremacy and various forms of injustice.
“The actions by the DOJ will not shake our resolve to fight for justice and ensure the promise of the Civil Rights movement becomes a reality for all. SPLC will vigorously defend ourselves, our staff and our work.”
In a video statement, Fair said the operatives concerned had “risked their lives to infiltrate and inform on the activities of our nation’s most radical and violent extremist groups,” crediting them with “saving lives.”
open image in gallery Trump has now called the SPLC ‘one of the greatest political scams in American History’ ( AP )
In an overt attack on the Trump administration, he added: “Today the federal government has been weaponized to dismantle the rights of our nation’s most vulnerable people and any organization like ours that tries to stand in the breach.”
Trump’s attempt to tie the SPLC to his ongoing insistence that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from him by a vast Democratic conspiracy comes a matter of days after Patel claimed to have new “evidence” to finally prove his narrative.
“We have the information that backs President Trump’s claim,” the director told Fox News host Maria Bartiromo on Sunday Morning Futures last weekend.
“I can’t get ahead of the Department of Justice and the president, but President Trump… President Trump speaks truthfully when he says that. Stay tuned this week. You might see a thing or two.”
Despite his personal attorney Rudy Giuliani losing numerous court cases at the time, Trump remains unshakeable in his claim that Biden cheated his way to victory, even after it led to the U.S. Capitol riot of January 6 2021, the prosecution of 1,500 of his supporters (since pardoned) over the storming of the legislative complex and a second impeachment.