The SPLC survived firebombs and death threats. Will it survive Trump 2.0?

"In late April, federal prosecutors announced an indictment against the organization, alleging criminal fraud. The Justice Department accuses the SPLC of misrepresenting the true nature of bank accounts it maintained to pay confidential informants. It also claims that the nonprofit defrauded its donors, by saying it was fighting extremism when it was, in fact, funding extremism through the payment and placement of informants with extremist groups."

"The SPLC vigorously denies these allegations, saying it is "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 to create a multi-racial democracy where we can all live and thrive.""

"But the federal government's indictment comes at a time when several former and current SPLC employees say the organization is already deeply vulnerable. Buffeted by years-long internal turmoil, and a transformed political landscape where extremist narratives have been mainstreamed, the SPLC's ability to stand against these accusations will be closely watched."

""I'm rooting for [the SPLC]. I think that the current leadership at the SPLC is doing much better and they're on a much better track," said David Neiwert, a retired journalist who worked for the SPLC between 2013 and 2018."

The Southern Poverty Law Center, founded in 1971, has faced threats including a 1983 Ku Klux Klan firebombing of its Montgomery offices and death threats aimed at co-founder Morris Dees. In late April, federal prosecutors announced an indictment alleging criminal fraud. The Justice Department alleges the SPLC misrepresented the true nature of bank accounts used to pay confidential informants. It also alleges the nonprofit defrauded donors by claiming it fought extremism while allegedly funding extremism through paying and placing informants with extremist groups. The SPLC denies the allegations and says it has spent decades fighting white supremacy and injustice. Former and current employees describe the organization as vulnerable amid internal turmoil and a political environment that has mainstreamed extremist narratives.

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