FBI Cuts Ties With SPLC, ADL Citing Partisan Bias

FBI Director Kash Patel has officially severed all ties with the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), citing concerns that both organizations have become partisan and lost credibility. Patel criticized the SPLC for abandoning its civil rights mission and turning into a "partisan smear machine," highlighting that the SPLC's "hate map" has defamed mainstream Americans and incited violence, including the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The ADL was also faulted for overstepping in past collaborations, including labeling conservative groups like Turning Point USA as extremist. This move marks a significant shift in the FBI's approach to civil rights watchdogs, with Patel emphasizing that the bureau will no longer rely on politicized or agenda-driven intelligence from outside groups. Conservative figures, including Elon Musk, have supported the decision, criticizing the SPLC and ADL for their biased characterizations. The SPLC and ADL have historically provided data, training, and research to the FBI, but the new direction reflects the current administration's stance on these organizations' roles in monitoring extremism.