Story perspectives

DOJ Alleges SPLC Paid $3M to Hate Group Informants

4/22/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Department of Justice alleges the Southern Poverty Law Center paid more than $3 million to informants connected with hate groups, including the Ku Klux Klan, from 2014 to 2023.
SPLC Interim CEO Bryan Fair denied the allegations, saying informants protected public safety and the organization will vigorously defend itself against politically motivated accusations.
The investigation is tied to the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump’s broader efforts to target groups opposing his agenda.

History

Historical Context

Founded in 1971, the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) has been pivotal in combating hate groups, notably the Ku Klux Klan, through litigation and intelligence gathering. By 2017, the SPLC reported spending over $3 million on informants to monitor these organizations, coinciding with increased scrutiny under the Trump administration, reflecting ongoing tensions between civil rights advocacy and governmental pressures on such organizations.

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Story summary

The Department of Justice alleges the Southern Poverty Law Center paid more than $3 million to informants connected with hate groups, including the Ku Klux Klan, from 2014 to 2023.
SPLC Interim CEO Bryan Fair denied the allegations, saying informants protected public safety and the organization will vigorously defend itself against politically motivated accusations.
The investigation is tied to the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump’s broader efforts to target groups opposing his agenda.

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