FBI Ends Ties with SPLC

The FBI, under director Kash Patel, is taking steps to distance itself from certain external left-wing organizations. On Friday, it was announced that the agency has officially severed its relationship with the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), based in Montgomery.

Patel expressed strong sentiments about the SPLC, stating, “The Southern Poverty Law Centre abandoned civil rights jobs long ago and became a partisan smear. Their so-called ‘maps of hatred’ have been used to denigrate mainstream Americans and even inspire violence. That disgraceful record makes it unsuitable for an FBI partnership.”

The SPLC attracted controversy last year after it was reported that the organization had documented at least 14 writers labeled as “bee” writers in what was perceived as a hit piece during a so-called data lab investigation.

“In April, during the anti-Christian bias panel, we made it clear that the FBI never relies on politicization or agenda-driven intelligence from outside groups,” Patel continued. “Under this FBI, all relationships with the SPLC have officially ended.”

The SPLC is currently under investigation by the U.S. House Committee on Surveillance and Accountability. Concerns have been raised about the organization’s practices. A House member remarked, “The SPLC aims to target conservative people, organizations, and nonprofits who hold opposing views by weaponizing the ‘hate group’ designation.” In a 2019 ruling, a federal judge noted that the SPLC’s classification as a “hate group” was based on subjective criteria rather than objective data.

This decision to cut ties with the SPLC comes shortly after Patel announced the end of the FBI’s relationship with the Prevention League, citing similar concerns about left-wing bias.

Patel also commented on past actions, referencing former FBI director James Comey’s perceived alignment with the Anti-Defamation League, criticizing the embedding of agents into extreme groups he described as acting like terrorist organizations.