Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Federal grand jury indicts Southern Poverty Law Center for wire fraud, false statements, and money laundering conspiracy — A federal grand jury in Montgomery, Alabama, returned an indictment charging the Southern Poverty Law Center with 11 counts of wire fraud, false statements to a federally insured bank, and conspiracy to commit concealment money laundering. The indictment alleges that between 2014 and 2023, the SPLC funneled more than $3 million in donated funds to individuals associated with violent extremist groups including the Ku Klux Klan, Aryan Nations, and National Socialist Party of America, while publicly claiming to oppose those groups. The DOJ alleges the organization used fictitious bank accounts to conceal the scheme and made false statements to financial institutions.
• Acting Attorney General Blanche announces 11-count indictment of Southern Poverty Law Center — Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche held a press conference announcing an 11-count federal indictment against the Southern Poverty Law Center, charging the civil rights organization with wire fraud, making false statements to a bank, and conspiracy to launder money. The charges relate to a now-defunct program in which the SPLC paid informants to infiltrate extremist groups and shared information with law enforcement. Legal experts have characterized the charges as weak, and the SPLC has denied all wrongdoing. The indictment was widely viewed as an effort by Blanche to demonstrate to Trump his willingness to use the DOJ against political rivals.
• DOJ pressured prosecutors to indict Southern Poverty Law Center despite case-strength concerns, whistleblower alleges — A Department of Justice lawyer, Aakash Singh, reportedly pressured federal prosecutors in Alabama to rush an 11-count indictment against the Southern Poverty Law Center despite serious concerns about the case's strength, according to a whistleblower account shared with House Democrats. Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the indictment on April 21, accusing the civil rights organization of wire fraud and money laundering related to an informant program. Democrats Jamie Raskin and Mary Gay Scanlon opened an investigation into the matter, citing Singh's directive to prosecutors to expedite charges. Legal experts have characterized the charges as weak, and the SPLC has denied all wrongdoing.
• Justice Department indicts Southern Poverty Law Center on federal fraud charges — Trump's Justice Department indicted the Southern Poverty Law Center on federal fraud charges, alleging the civil rights organization defrauded donors by secretly paying informants more than $3 million to infiltrate white supremacist and extremist groups, including the Ku Klux Klan. The tactic of using paid informants has been used by the FBI and other federal agencies for decades. Critics characterized the indictment as "nakedly political."
• DOJ indicts Southern Poverty Law Center on federal fraud charges — The Department of Justice, through Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, announced an 11-count federal indictment against the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) by an Alabama grand jury. The charges include wire fraud, bank fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering, alleging the SPLC funneled over $3 million to confidential informants within extremist groups between 2014 and 2023 using fictitious entities, and misrepresented to donors and banks how funds were being used. The SPLC's CEO Bryan Fair disputed the allegations and stated the informant program "saved lives."
• Southern Poverty Law Center indicted on federal fraud charges by Trump administration DOJ — The Southern Poverty Law Center was indicted on federal fraud charges by acting attorney general Todd Blanche, alleging the organization improperly paid informants to infiltrate extremist groups without disclosing payments to donors. The indictment claims at least $3 million went to informants affiliated with the KKK, Aryan Nations, and other groups between 2014 and 2023. SPLC CEO Bryan Fair stated the payments were necessary to monitor violence threats and that information was shared with the FBI and law enforcement. Charges include wire fraud, bank fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
• DOJ indicted Southern Poverty Law Center for fraud — The Department of Justice indicted the Southern Poverty Law Center, alleging that SPLC used donor money to pay informants to infiltrate right-wing hate groups, but claiming the purpose was to create false flags to instigate violence and racist demonstrations. The indictment has refueled conspiracy theories that the January 6 insurrection was instigated by infiltrators paid by left-wing groups. Rep. Dan Goldman criticized the indictment as legally baseless, comparing it to prosecuting the FBI for funding drug trafficking through informants.

Supporting reports

• Executive Order on Paul Weiss Risks — President Donald J. Trump issued Executive Order 14237 to address risks associated with the law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. The order mandates a review of security clearances for individuals at Paul Weiss, cessation of government services to the firm, and a review of government contracts involving the firm. The order aims to prevent taxpayer funds from supporting activities deemed harmful to American interests, including racial discrimination and actions inconsistent with national security.
• Executive Order: Addressing Risks From Paul Weiss — President Donald Trump issued an executive order on March 14, 2025, targeting the law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. The order mandates a review and potential suspension of security clearances for individuals at the firm, citing national interest concerns. It also directs federal agencies to cease providing goods and services to Paul Weiss and to review and potentially terminate contracts with the firm. The order aims to prevent taxpayer dollars from supporting activities deemed inconsistent with American interests, including alleged racial discrimination and actions against national security.
• Trump signed executive order targeting law firm Paul Weiss with security clearance suspensions, contract terminations, and personnel restrictions. — President Trump signed an executive order on March 14, 2025, directing federal agencies to suspend security clearances held by Paul Weiss employees, terminate government contracts with the firm, restrict employee access to federal buildings, and limit hiring of firm personnel. The order cites the firm's representation of January 6 defendants, employment of former prosecutor Mark Pomerantz, and alleged racial discrimination in hiring. Agencies must submit compliance assessments within 30 days.
• White House issues fact sheet on executive order suspending security clearances for Paul Weiss law firm employees — The White House published a fact sheet stating that President Trump signed an executive order suspending security clearances held by employees of Paul Weiss law firm and attorney Mark Pomerantz, pending review of whether such clearances align with the national interest. The order directs the federal government to halt material and services to the firm, restrict building access, terminate contracts, and refrain from hiring its employees unless authorized. The fact sheet characterizes the firm's practices as warranting civil rights review under Title VII.