House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) has ordered the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) to turn over documents related to its communications with the Biden-Harris Department of Justice (DOJ) and FBI. The request, issued on April 23, gives the SPLC until April 30 to comply. Jordan’s letter cites publicly available records suggesting close collaboration between the DOJ and SPLC, including regular meetings, early access to law-enforcement data, and SPLC-led training for federal prosecutors.
The demand follows a federal indictment alleging the SPLC funneled millions in donor funds to extremist organizations. Jordan’s committee is investigating potential coordination between the SPLC and the Biden administration, particularly regarding the DOJ’s use of the SPLC’s designations of 'hate groups' in civil rights enforcement. The SPLC has faced criticism for labeling mainstream conservative and religious organizations, such as Moms for Liberty and Turning Point USA, as extremist entities.
Additionally, Jordan referenced an FBI memo from the Richmond Field Office under Director Christopher Wray, which cited the SPLC as a source for framing 'radical-traditionalist Catholics' as prone to violent crime. The committee’s scrutiny comes amid broader Republican investigations into the SPLC’s activities and financial practices.