Comer launches probe into Southern Poverty Law Center's alleged influence over federal employees

House Oversight Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., launched a probe into the Southern Poverty Law Center, alleging that the advocacy organization influenced federal employees by weaponizing the designation of the term "hate group" to go after conservative organizations. 

“The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is investigating the extent to which the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC or Center) influences federal employees performing their duties on behalf of taxpayers as well as input from federal officials that could affect SPLC decisions to designate groups,” Comer wrote in a letter.

“The SPLC has weaponized its designation of ‘hate group’ to target conservative persons, organizations, and non-profits who hold opposing viewpoints or policy positions," Comer continued. "In 2019, a federal judge concluded that the SPLC’s ‘hate group’ label does not ‘depend upon objective data or evidence’ and described the designation as ‘an entirely subjective inquiry.’ Despite this subjective slant, SPLC’s labels have been used in the private sector as a basis for decisions to exclude partnerships with certain groups.” 

Comer said that according to White House visitor logs, SPLC officials visited the White House over the past three years, and in those years different parental rights and "antigovernment" organizations were given the "hate group" label.

The Southern Poverty Law Center is a left-leaning nonprofit group that "battles racial and social injustice."

Earlier this year, GOP lawmakers from Florida also alleged that the Biden administration used the SPLC to target parental rights groups. 

“The American people have a right to know how extensively federal employees are utilizing or disseminating flawed and subjective information that effectively discriminates against them for their First Amendment protected political views," Comer concluded.