DOJ Drops the Hammer on SPLC: 11 Federal Charges While Trump Reclassifies Marijuana and Extends Middle East Ceasefires

SPLC Hit With Federal Fraud Charges, Medical Marijuana Moved to Schedule III, and Trump Brokers New Ceasefire Extensions

A federal grand jury in Montgomery, Alabama, has indicted the Southern Poverty Law Center on 11 counts including wire fraud, false statements to a federally insured bank, and conspiracy to commit concealment money laundering. The Department of Justice alleges that from 2014 to 2023, the SPLC secretly funneled more than $3 million in donated funds to leaders of the Ku Klux Klan, Aryan Nations, the National Socialist Movement, and other violent extremist organizations.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the charges alongside FBI Director Kash Patel on April 21, 2026. Blanche stated:

The SPLC is manufacturing racism to justify its existence.

Director Patel added that the organization allegedly "lied to their donors, vowing to dismantle violent extremist groups, and actually turned around and paid the leaders of these very extremist groups." The SPLC opened bank accounts connected to fictitious entities to disguise the payments. The SPLC has vowed to "vigorously defend" itself against the charges.

In a separate move, Acting Attorney General Blanche signed an order on April 23 reclassifying state licensed medical marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act. The change applies to FDA approved products containing marijuana and marijuana products regulated under state medical marijuana licenses. Schedule III drugs, which include ketamine and testosterone, carry a moderate to low addiction risk and are recognized for accepted medical use.

The reclassification does not legalize marijuana at the federal level and does not affect recreational marijuana. However, state licensed medical marijuana producers will now gain access to previously unavailable tax benefits. The DEA will hold an administrative hearing beginning June 29, 2026, regarding the broader rescheduling of marijuana.

Trump Announces Israel Lebanon Ceasefire Extension and Escalates Pressure on Iran

President Trump announced on April 23 that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to extend their ceasefire for three weeks following high level negotiations at the White House. The meeting included Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and ambassadors from both nations. The extension maintains the fragile truce between the Israeli military and the Iran backed militant group Hezbollah.

Meanwhile, tensions with Iran continue to escalate. The administration has directed the Navy to respond forcefully to any mine laying activities in the Strait of Hormuz, where commercial traffic has nearly halted due to concerns about mines, Iranian attacks, and ship seizures. Iran launched gunfire attacks and seized two vessels this week. Trump indicated willingness to wait for "the best deal" to end the conflict with Iran.

Trump also personally intervened on behalf of eight women facing execution in Iran. By Thursday, he announced four women would be released immediately, while four others would serve one month prison sentences instead of death.

The Crusader's Opinion

The SPLC has spent decades labeling faithful Christian organizations as "hate groups" for the simple act of standing on biblical truth. Now the Department of Justice has pulled back the curtain and what they found is staggering: millions in donor dollars allegedly funneled to actual Klansmen and neo Nazis while decent Christians were smeared as bigots. This is what happens when an organization builds its entire empire on lies and slander against the body of Christ. Meanwhile, Trump is out there brokering ceasefires, saving women from execution in Iran, and reshaping drug policy. Say what you will about the man, but he is getting things done while his enemies are getting indicted. The double standard against Christians is relentless, but the truth has a way of surfacing. It always does.

Take Action

• Read the full DOJ indictment at justice.gov and share it widely so others learn the truth about the SPLC's operations.
• Contact your representative and urge them to investigate other organizations that label Christian groups as "hate groups" while operating with zero accountability. Find your rep at house.gov.
• Pray for the persecuted Church in Iran and Lebanon. Support those on the frontlines at www.TheShepherdsShield.org.
• Support persecuted Christians in the Middle East through Open Doors USA and Voice of the Martyrs.
• Share this story with your church community and discuss: are organizations like the SPLC finally being held accountable for years of targeting Bible believing Christians?
• Stay informed about the SPLC trial and support Christian legal organizations like Alliance Defending Freedom that have been targeted by the SPLC's "hate group" labels.