The Federal Bureau of Investigation confirmed it has cut long standing ties with the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), an activist organization that created a so-called “hate list” and “hate map” that recklessly defames organizations like Liberty Counsel and other Christian and conservative organizations. FBI Director Kash Patel cited concerns over the SPLC’s “hate map” alleging it had shifted over the years from a neutral intelligence and analysis tool into a defamation apparatus for partisan attacks.

“The Southern Poverty Law Center long ago abandoned civil rights work and turned into a partisan smear machine,” said Director Patel. “Their so-called hate map has been used to defame mainstream Americans and even inspired violence.”

Director Patel added, “That disgraceful record makes them unfit for any FBI partnership."

The FBI’s decision to sever ties follows a coalition letter that Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver signed on to in August 2025, which was sent to White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller advising that the SPLC’s “defamatory hate map” should not be used by federal agencies. The letter, signed by eight conservative leaders, included Moms for Liberty CEO and Co-founder Tina Descovich, and the late Charlie Kirk just weeks before his assassination.

The letter states that the SPLC has “egregiously strayed” from its roots with its decades-old “hate map” listing more than 1,400 entities they classify as “hateful and extremist.” Over time, the map broadened to include conservative, faith based, and parental rights organizations that disagree with the SPLC’s “radical left-wing ideology.”

The letter notes that this “reckless and dishonest” behavior led to one terrorist attack against the Family Research Council (FRC) where Floyd Corkins attempted to commit mass murder and confessed he targeted FRC because the organization was listed on the SPLC’s “hate map.” Under the Biden administration, federal agencies also utilized SPLC data and analysis to label traditional Catholics, among others, as radical extremists. The FBI’s Richmond Field Office, the letter stated, used the SPLC as a source to label traditional Catholic groups as hate groups and sent that source to more than 1,000 FBI employees nationally. Further, the SPLC recently designated Turning Point USA, founded by Charlie Kirk, on its “hate map” for its support of faith and conservative values and remains on the list even after Kirk’s assassination.

Director Patel reiterated that it is no longer using any intelligence products from the SPLC and does not engage in contact or information sharing with the SPLC.

“Under this FBI, all ties with the SPLC have officially been terminated,” said Director Patel.

Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver said, “We commend the FBI for severing ties with the Southern Poverty Law Center. The SPLC’s ‘hate map’ is defamatory and should never be used by anyone. This ‘hate map’ has been directly linked to an attempted mass murder by the confession of Floyd Corkins who is now serving time in prison for his despicable act. I call upon the SPLC to cease and desist use of this false, defamatory, and dangerous activity.”