SPLC Seeks Dismissal of Federal Indictment, Alleges Trump Administration Retaliation

The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) has filed a motion to dismiss a federal indictment against the organization, arguing that the prosecution is a politically motivated retaliation orchestrated by President Donald Trump and top administration officials. The 47-page memorandum, submitted Monday in the U.S.

District Court for the Middle District of Alabama, contends the case represents 'the very definition of a vindictive prosecution' and requests dismissal with prejudice or, alternatively, further discovery and an evidentiary hearing.

The indictment, unsealed on April 21, accuses the SPLC of improperly funding informants tied to white supremacist groups such as the Ku Klux Klan, Aryan Nations, and National Alliance, and of concealing the nature of payments while fraudulently soliciting donations. The SPLC argues that the charges stem from a 'top-down, retributive campaign' by Trump, who publicly labeled the organization a 'political scam' on Truth Social.

The filing cites Trump's statements linking the SPLC to alleged election rigging and political violence, including references to the 2020 election and the September 2025 killing of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.

The SPLC's informant program, established after its Montgomery headquarters was firebombed by the Klan in 1983, is at the center of the case. The organization claims the program was modeled on law enforcement intelligence-gathering methods.

The motion highlights escalating hostility from the Trump administration, including executive orders targeting the SPLC, a DOJ 'Weaponization Working Group,' and a 'Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias' that criticized the group. The SPLC also points to pressure from Republican lawmakers like Sen.

Chuck Grassley and Rep. Jim Jordan following a 2023 FBI memo citing SPLC materials on extremist Catholics.

The filing alleges procedural irregularities, including that prosecutors sought an indictment without interviewing current employees or formally requesting documents. It also references whistleblower reports of DOJ officials pressuring prosecutors to rush the case.

The SPLC argues the prosecution violates the First Amendment and Due Process Clause by criminalizing protected speech and advocacy. The court is asked to dismiss the indictment or order expanded discovery into communications among DOJ officials, White House personnel, and federal agencies.