The Justice Department indicted the Southern Poverty Law Center, with Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel announcing the charges at a news conference this week. The indictment marks a dramatic fall for a group that has long been a target of conservative criticism.

Before facing federal charges, the SPLC had already endured significant controversy. Founded in 1971 to fight racial segregation in Alabama, the organization evolved into a national group tracking hate groups and extremist organizations. However, it faced scandals and critiques from both the left and right in recent years, weakening its standing.

The case represents a remarkable reversal for an institution that once wielded considerable influence in civil rights advocacy and policy debates. Richard Fausset, a Times reporter based in Atlanta, covers the American South, focusing on politics, culture, race, poverty and criminal justice.