SPLC Files Motion Arguing Vindictive Prosecution by Department of Justice

Source: SPLC

SPLC Files Motion Arguing Vindictive Prosecution by Department of Justice

May 26, 2026

Motion seeks dismissal of all charges against SPLC by the court

MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- Today, the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) filed a motion in federal court to dismiss the charges against the SPLC based on vindictive prosecution. The motion argues that the charges brought against the 55-year old civil rights organization are the result of targeting by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), and amount to retaliation, violating the SPLC's constitutional right to due process.

Citing statements and actions by President Trump, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, other high ranking DOJ officials and FBI Director Kash Patel, the SPLC posits that the charges against it were brought not because of any criminal activity, but because the SPLC has been critical of the Administration's policies and has published about extremist views held by Administration officials. According to the motion, the SPLC's advocacy work and its reporting on hate and extremism are protected by the First Amendment; disseminating the SPLC's research is public education and among the landmark work for which the organization is known.

"For weeks, we have been arguing against these false allegations levied against the 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 multiracial democracy where we can all live and thrive," said Bryan Fair, interim president and CEO, SPLC. "The government can't prosecute the SPLC as payback for its protected speech -- it violates basic constitutional rights."

Some statements highlighted in the motion, like Blanche's false claim that there was not evidence the SPLC passed information to law enforcement in efforts to thwart the criminal activities of hate groups--which the prosecution in the case has conceded was untrue and that Blanche later corrected-- have also been the subject of other motions the SPLC has made showing how this prosecution is improper.

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Read more: https://www.splcenter.org/presscenter/motion-vindictive-prosecution-department-justice/