Call to Revoke SPLC’s Tax-Exempt Status Grows Louder
EXCLUSIVE — Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is facing pressure to strip the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) of its tax-exempt status, following allegations from a Republican congressman who claims the group is funding extremist organizations, constituting “an act of fraud.”
Congressman Raises Alarming Concerns
The call, made by Rep. Mark Harris, R-N.C., asserts that while the SPLC amasses millions of dollars under the pretense of combating hate, it has been accused of targeting conservative groups through its controversial “Hate Map,” which includes groups like the Ku Klux Klan—claims bolstered by a recent indictment from the Department of Justice (DOJ).
“The SPLC has reached a point where it’s become extremely obvious that they are certainly not the organization anymore that they were maybe even founded to be,” Harris told Fox News Digital. “They’ve become a strong left-wing political organization that is really just funding groups that most Americans would be appalled to know about.”
Legal Basis for Tax-Exempt Status Review
In his letter to Bessent, Harris outlines the legal requirements for a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization. According to him, such entities must primarily operate for charitable, educational, or similar purposes and are prohibited from engaging in political activity. Harris argues that the SPLC’s activities contradict this legal framework.
The letter highlights that “[t]he SPLC has consistently engaged in the partisan targeting of conservative groups by placing them on its so-called ‘hate map,’ alongside organizations such as the Ku Klux Klan and the Aryan Brotherhood.” He further emphasizes that violent leftist groups such as Antifa and Jane’s Revenge have been largely overlooked by the SPLC, despite significant public concerns.
Implications of Allegations Against SPLC
During a recent House Judiciary Committee hearing, Harris connected the dots between SPLC’s activities and a major Biden-era scandal, where the DOJ allegedly monitored what it termed “radical traditionalist Catholics,” purportedly with guidance from the SPLC.
This Alabama-based nonprofit has faced criticism for including mainstream Christian organizations, such as the Family Research Council and Alliance Defending Freedom, in its “Hate Map.” A tragic incident in 2012 involving a gunman targeting the Family Research Council office further underscores the potential consequences of the SPLC’s labeling.
Evidence of Extremist Funding
In his comments to Fox News Digital, Harris also criticized the SPLC for allegedly diverting over $4 million of donor funds into shell companies that purportedly financed the KKK and other extremist organizations, challenging the notion that it is truly fighting hate.
Harris characterized this practice as “an act of fraud” rather than genuine charitable work and called for immediate action.
Congressional Concerns About SPLC’s Operations
The lawmaker referenced claims presented during congressional hearings, indicating that the SPLC experienced a surge in donations following the violent “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville in 2017. These allegations imply that the SPLC may have even compensated an informant to help orchestrate the rally.
“That’s the way these groups work because, again, it becomes a money-making machine,” Harris argued. “If they can keep things stirred up, if they keep people divided, then they accomplish what they want to accomplish, which at the end of the day, is all about the almighty dollar.”
Call to Action for the IRS
In closing his letter, Harris stated, “The evidence is clear: the SPLC does not operate as a charitable organization and should therefore lose its tax-exempt status.” He urged Bessent to direct the IRS to review the SPLC’s Section 501(c)(3) status and take the necessary steps to revoke its tax-exempt classification.
SPLC’s Response to Allegations
In light of the serious nature of the allegations, the SPLC has denied any wrongdoing. However, the group did not respond to requests for comment from Fox News Digital regarding the specifics of Harris’s claims and the DOJ’s indictment.
As these developments unfold, the future of the SPLC and its status as a tax-exempt organization hangs in the balance, promising to evoke strong reactions on both sides of the political divide.