SPLC Faces Criminal Probe Over Informant Tactics

0:00It's April 21st, Canada news today starts now, AI powered and ready. I'm Cory with the story. The Southern Poverty Law Center just revealed it's facing a criminal probe from the Justice Department over its past practice of paying informants, too, infiltrate extremist groups. The Civil Rights non-profit says the Trump administration seems to be gearing up charges against it, or some staff for gathering intel on violent outfits. This tactic dates back to the Civil Rights Movement era, when bombings and murders of activists were rampant. The group shared tips with law enforcement to head off threats, insisting it saved lives while keeping sources safe. Conservatives have hammered the center for years, calling it a partisan outfit that slaps extremist labels on right-wing groups. Last year, the FBI cut ties, with his director blasting their hate maps as smears on everyday Americans. Post-Republicans held hearings in December, accusing the center of teaming up with Democrats to target Christians and conservatives free speech.

1:02Rights Fresh reports on groups like Turning Point USA fueled the fire. The center plans to fight these charges tooth and nail, but with no word from the Justice Department yet, this could reshape how watchdogs track hate and extremism moving forward.