The Southern Poverty Law Center said it is under investigation by the Justice Department over its past use of paid informants to infiltrate extremist groups. Bryan Fair, the group's interim chief executive, revealed the probe in a video statement, saying the Trump administration has "made no secret of who they want to protect and who they want to destroy."

Founded in 1971 in Alabama, the SPLC has long tracked hate groups like the Ku Klux Klan and white supremacy organizations. In recent years, Republicans have accused the group of unfairly targeting conservative and Christian organizations, labeling them as extremists. The investigation comes as the Trump administration pushes to counter what it calls anti-Christian and anti-conservative bias in government.

Fair stated the group no longer works with paid informants but defended their past work, saying those informants "risked their lives to infiltrate and inform on the activities of our nation's most radical and violent extremist groups." The center had for many years provided information and tips to local law enforcement and the FBI. Conservative criticism intensified after the assassination of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk in September, with the FBI severing ties with the SPLC in October.