FBI Director Kash Patel has announced the agency will cut longstanding partnerships with the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), two of the nation’s most prominent civil rights watchdogs. The Guardian reports that Patel accused both organizations of political bias, sparking fierce backlash from advocacy groups and civil rights leaders who warned that the move undermines decades of collaboration in tracking hate crimes and extremism.
FBI Ends Decades-Long Partnerships
Patel said on Friday that the FBI will sever its relationship with the Southern Poverty Law Center, criticizing the organization as a “partisan smear machine” that unfairly labels conservative groups on its “hate map.” Earlier in the week, Patel announced the agency would also end ties with the Anti-Defamation League, a Jewish advocacy organization long known for combating antisemitism and providing extremism training to law enforcement.
The decisions mark a sweeping shift in the FBI’s approach to domestic extremism, ending relationships that date back decades and signaling Patel’s intent to reshape how the bureau engages with outside civil rights groups.
Criticism Rooted in Conservative Backlash
Patel’s moves follow increasing criticism from conservative figures and allies of President Donald Trump, who have accused the SPLC and ADL of politically motivated labeling. The backlash intensified after the 10 September assassination of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, whose organization, Turning Point USA, had been described by the SPLC as a “case study in the hard right” in its 2024 Year in Hate and Extremism report.
Elon Musk and other high-profile conservatives recently attacked the SPLC for what they called biased and defamatory portrayals of right-wing groups. Patel echoed those criticisms, saying the FBI will no longer rely on “partisan organizations disguised as watchdogs.”
SPLC Defends Its Mission
The SPLC, founded in 1971 to protect minorities and combat racial hatred, responded cautiously to Patel’s remarks. In a statement, a spokesperson said the group has “for decades shared data with the public” and remains “committed to exposing hate and extremism as we work to equip communities with knowledge and defend the rights and safety of marginalized people.”
The SPLC’s research has long been used by federal and state agencies to identify hate crimes and extremist threats, though it has drawn criticism from conservatives who argue the group unfairly targets right-leaning organizations.
ADL Faces Right-Wing Attacks
The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, has also been under fire from conservative circles for maintaining a “Glossary of Extremism.” The ADL recently discontinued the glossary, citing outdated entries that had been “intentionally misrepresented and misused.”
Despite Patel’s criticism, ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to its mission, saying, “In light of an unprecedented surge of antisemitism, we remain more committed than ever to our core purpose to protect the Jewish people.”
Historic Ties Between the FBI and the ADL
For more than a century, the FBI and ADL have worked closely to counter hate crimes and racially or religiously motivated extremism. The partnership included research collaborations, law enforcement training programs, and award ceremonies recognizing FBI agents for their work in protecting vulnerable communities.
Former FBI Director James Comey praised that relationship in 2017, telling the ADL: “For more than 100 years, you have advocated and fought for fairness and equality, for inclusion and acceptance. You never were indifferent or complacent.”
Patel Mocks Comey Amid FBI Overhaul
Comey, who was indicted on 25 September on false statement and obstruction charges and maintains his innocence, has been a longtime critic of Patel. On Wednesday, Patel mocked Comey’s 2017 remarks in a post on X, sharing a Fox News story about cutting ties with the ADL. “James Comey wrote ‘love letters’ to the ADL and embedded FBI agents with them – a group that ran disgraceful ops spying on Americans,” Patel wrote. “That era is OVER. This FBI won’t partner with political fronts masquerading as watchdogs.”
Patel’s public remarks drew criticism for being posted as Jews prepared to observe Yom Kippur, the holiest day in Judaism.
Civil Rights Community Reacts
The announcements have sparked alarm among civil rights advocates who say cutting ties with the SPLC and ADL could weaken the FBI’s ability to track hate groups and domestic extremism. Both organizations have provided vital data, training, and intelligence that supported investigations into racially motivated violence and hate crimes. Critics warn the decision reflects a broader political realignment within the FBI under Patel’s leadership, potentially aligning the agency with partisan interests and diminishing its longstanding role as an independent arbiter in civil rights enforcement.