Federal Charges Against SPLC Put Spotlight on Organization That Once Labeled Citizens Defending Freedom ‘Anti-Government’

MULBERRY, Fla. — New federal charges involving the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) and former SPLC official Heidi Beirich are bringing renewed attention to an organization that has drawn criticism for applying labels such as “extremist” and “anti-government” to faith-based organizations engaged in public policy and civic advocacy.

Citizens Defending Freedom (CDF) has firsthand experience with the SPLC’s inaccurate classifications.

In 2024, the SPLC placed CDF in its “general anti-government” category of its so-called “hate map,” citing the organization’s advocacy involving public-school books, Critical Race Theory, LGBTQ-related policies, and concerns about ideological instruction in public schools.

CDF publicly rejected the designation. Its mission centers on equipping citizens to participate in government, communicate with elected officials, defend constitutional rights, and hold government accountable.

The SPLC is now facing expanded federal charges stemming from an alleged scheme involving donated funds and financial accounts associated with fictitious entities.

On August 11, a federal grand jury returned a second superseding indictment adding Beirich as a defendant and bringing additional charges involving conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to submit false statements to a federally insured bank, and concealment money laundering.

According to the Department of Justice, the latest indictment alleges that between 2007 and 2023, more than $4 million in donated funds were secretly funneled to individuals associated with violent extremist groups.

An earlier federal indictment alleged that recipients were associated with organizations including the Ku Klux Klan, National Socialist Movement, Aryan Nations, and National Socialist Party of America—organizations the SPLC publicly claims to oppose.

The charges contained in the indictment are allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

About Citizens Defending Freedom

Citizens Defending Freedom is a nonprofit organization committed to equipping and empowering citizens to defend their constitutional freedoms and hold government accountable through education, advocacy, and civic engagement.