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Judge Rejects SPLC Dismissal Bid, Trump Case Proceeds

8/9/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. District Judge Emily Marks rejected the Southern Poverty Law Center's motion to dismiss the Trump administration case.
She found the SPLC failed to prove animus, rejecting the vindictive-prosecution claim.
The indictment lists six wire-fraud, four false-statement to a federally insured bank, and one money-laundering conspiracy count.
Marks condemned cable-news-style rhetoric and ad hominem attacks, noting courts are not venues for political grievances.

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Story summary

U.S. District Judge Emily Marks rejected the Southern Poverty Law Center's motion to dismiss the Trump administration case.
She found the SPLC failed to prove animus, rejecting the vindictive-prosecution claim.
The indictment lists six wire-fraud, four false-statement to a federally insured bank, and one money-laundering conspiracy count.
Marks condemned cable-news-style rhetoric and ad hominem attacks, noting courts are not venues for political grievances.