Trump administration sues Southern Poverty Law Center on fraud charges
Quick Insights
The Bottom Line
The Trump administration is suing the Southern Poverty Law Center on fraud charges.
AI Summary
The Trump administration has filed a lawsuit against the Southern Poverty Law Center, alleging fraud. This action targets a civil rights group that conservative activists have long criticized for its characterizations of organizations. The lawsuit marks a significant escalation in the ongoing tensions between the White House and the SPLC. This legal challenge could impact the SPLC's operations and its public standing.
What's Being Done
The Trump administration is suing the Southern Poverty Law Center.
Source Coverage Map
8 of 43 tracked sources covered this story
Following this story?
Get notified when new coverage appears
Other Sources Covering This Story
5 sourcesMultiple outlets have reported on this story. Compare perspectives from different sources.
Why was the Southern Poverty Law Center indicted on federal fraud charges?
Justice Department charges Southern Poverty Law Center with fraud over extremism investigations
WATCH: Justice Department charges SPLC with fraud over paid informant program
This article is part of a story we're tracking:
Government Spending & Oversight
Tracking how taxpayer dollars are spent, where oversight gaps exist, and what watchdogs are uncovering. From federal budget battles and earmark controversies to inspector general reports and GAO audits, this deep dive follows the money trail through every level of government. We examine defense spending, entitlement programs, infrastructure investments, and the growing national debt — focusing on accountability, waste, and the policies that shape how America allocates its resources.
Civil Rights & Justice
Following developments in civil rights, criminal justice reform, voting rights, Supreme Court decisions, policing accountability, and the ongoing struggle for equality and justice across American institutions.
Should this be getting more attention?
You Might Have Missed
Related stories from different sources and perspectives
PoliticsTrump administration to release Second Avenue subway funding after MTA lawsuit
The Trump administration on Thursday agreed to release federal funding to go toward the New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) project to extend the Second Avenue subway following a lawsuit to restore funding for the extension. A Department of Transportation (DOT) spokesperson told The Hill that President Trump and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy agreed to…
TechnologyThe data center boom meets resistance in Maine as lawmakers pass a yearlong freeze - AP News
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiuAFBVV95cUxQdVNuVTVNUnZ0aDFwN0ExUkRxWHlXMzAtSTA1TU5WM1g2ZWRJTU9OVGZ4UDRnVURuSlpkZkxiVnQyZDZtSnRtUXAycDFEOHNneHphTGM3YmdaR0NlaXZYZjh2WjYyVGUxVUZLdkZ0TkUwLTBSckNlYUxDTG1NejVtcUplckxaYXJkR1ZhRXg4cmd0cGk0bzdNVWpBT2NCX21yYmxwdms4ZzdHa1A4X0paSC1NbVYtNktu?oc=5" target="_blank">The data center boom meets resistance in Maine as lawmakers pass a yearlong freeze</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>
Civil RightsTufts University student targeted by Trump administration completes PhD
<p>Rümeysa Öztürk, who faced deportation over pro-Palestinian op-ed, travels back to Turkey to begin career</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2026/feb/17/sign-up-for-the-breaking-news-us-email-to-get-newsletter-alerts-direct-to-your-inbox?utm_medium=ACQUISITIONS_STANDFIRST&utm_campaign=BN22326&utm_content=signup&utm_term=standfirst&utm_source=GUARDIAN_WEB">Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inbox</a></p></li></ul><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2026/feb/18/rumeysa-ozturk-trauma-children-ice-gaza">Rümeysa Öztürk</a>, the Tufts University student who was targeted by the Trump administration last year in response to co-writing a pro-Palestinian op-ed, completed her doctorate in the US and traveled back to her native Turkey this week.</p><p>Öztürk was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2026/feb/18/rumeysa-ozturk-trauma-children-ice-gaza">detained</a> last ye...
CorporateTrump-branded AI data center megaproject stalls, CEO departs
<p>The world's largest data center project — backed by Trump allies and bearing his name — is stalled by delays and logistical hurdles that could stop it before it even starts.</p><ul><li>The latest sign of trouble emerged Friday: CEO Toby Neugebarger <a href="https://app.quotemedia.com/data/downloadFiling?webmasterId=102691&ref=319962036&type=HTML&cdn=e387f6899f29edcf08e78f3ef8ed1836&formType=8-K&formDescription=Current+report+pursuant+to+Section+13+or+15%28d%29&dateFiled=2026-04-17&cik=2071778" target="_blank">abruptly departed</a>. That sent the company's shares, which already shed 75% in the last six months, plummeting in aftermarket trading.</li></ul><hr><p><strong>Why it matters: </strong>Fermi America, co-founded by President Trump's former Energy Secretary Rick Perry, is emerging as a high-profile test of whether the biggest, most ambitious AI infrastructure projects can deliver on their promises.</p><p><strong>Behind the scenes: </strong>In an in...
PoliticsUS Justice Department adds former Trump lawyer to probe of former CIA director, CNN reports - Reuters
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMizAFBVV95cUxOS0lJQmdXVG1hU2cxdVB6eElqYUpVcXR5WURXdE13V1hON1ZOSkxaTmJVc1ZER0QtNkhCM1lrelJMZWEyd3VaVUxuV3hVZUFvYlBRRVdnUGpJWFNFYmJLVmNmak5Oem1iQVVVTnNnYUYwbDlQcTNFUHU1cmtaTlBfbEo4VlpyLXhqOTNTbXI2N04yanFPdGhwd3hraHVtMTFuSkNFVUVhcmhsVjhwMFZWTjR4LWVCRFpnTm50bkcxSlZteVhNOTVObXVkTms?oc=5" target="_blank">US Justice Department adds former Trump lawyer to probe of former CIA director, CNN reports</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>
FinanceTrump’s lawyers are in talks with the IRS to resolve president’s $10B lawsuit - AP News
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMipwFBVV95cUxPVWNzUmZzRmt2R2NXbmptOUtTQ1BQMzM5YWhGWmJXN1Q2eXpxNzJ2Yi00cWRBRjI1MXlRdGlOYjUwUk5IRjhmSnJVdXFXb2NSUXBNYnZ0MGJwY1VUeWx5UjZCaVNaU0xVdFlzSlhzVUdmaHdoc0Jlb2RMaDhIR0VGTzEydWFkbHB5OFVUdFNyOERZSEZ2NEU3RXRhamVtUEE3VV91VWNsVQ?oc=5" target="_blank">Trump’s lawyers are in talks with the IRS to resolve president’s $10B lawsuit</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>
Why was the Southern Poverty Law Center indicted on federal fraud charges?
<p>Charges alleged the center paid informants to infiltrate extremist groups without disclosing payments to donors</p><p>The Southern Poverty Law Center was indicted on Tuesday on federal fraud charges, alleging it improperly paid informants to infiltrate extremist groups without disclosing the payments to donors, acting attorney general Todd Blanche said.</p><p>The center’s CEO Bryan Fair said the payments went to confidential informants in order to monitor threats of violence from the extremist groups – and that the information the center received was frequently shared with the FBI and other law enforcement agencies. The information gathered by the informants helped save lives, Fair said on Tuesday.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/21/splc-fraud-charges-explained">Continue reading...</a>
Did this story change how you see things?
Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.
The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.
See our sourcesMost Read This Week
Report: Merck’s blockbuster cancer drug topped $200,000 a year under Trump
Trump’s Memphis Crime Task Force Arrested Over 800 Immigrants, Records Show. Only 2% of the Arrests Were for Violent Crimes.
White House ramps up pressure to pass crypto bill as Congress returns
One in three Americans forced to make financial sacrifices for health coverage
Tanzania investigates death of American social media influencer - Reuters
