SouthernWorldwide.com – Bryan Fair, the interim executive of the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), staunchly defended the organization’s decision to categorize mainstream conservative groups, including Turning Point USA, on its “hate map” during a contentious congressional hearing on Tuesday.
Fair doubled down on the SPLC’s designation of Turning Point USA, a conservative activist organization founded by the late Charlie Kirk, as extremist when directly questioned by Republican lawmakers. The organization was listed alongside white supremacist and neo-Nazi groups in the SPLC’s 2025 “Year in Hate & Extremism” report, which was released on the same day.
This exchange occurred amidst increasing Republican scrutiny of the SPLC’s close ties to the Biden administration. This scrutiny is amplified by the Department of Justice’s ongoing criminal case against the nonprofit concerning alleged financial crimes.
Representative Darrell Issa, R-Calif., directly challenged Fair, asking, “Will you recant it, or are you going to double down and say that these people, including the martyred Charlie Kirk, in fact, somehow deserve to be on your hate list?”
Fair began his response by referencing his opening statement, in which he indicated he could not address certain topics due to the ongoing criminal probe.
Issa interjected, emphasizing his need for a direct answer. “No, wait a second,” he stated. “I heard your statement. I only want an answer to your question in the 11 seconds left. Are you going to recant, yes or no? And if you’re not going to, please don’t tell me it’s because now you’re under charges.”
The California lawmaker further pressed, noting the SPLC’s history, “Your organization did it as much as 16 years ago. Will you take back any part of that?”
Fair’s definitive reply was, “The SPLC will continue to expose hate and extremism.”
The nonprofit’s head also addressed Representative Chip Roy, R-Texas, who questioned the “hate map” designation for Turning Point USA. Fair reiterated the SPLC’s stance, stating, “It is our position that TPUSA expresses views and vilifies other people based on immutable characteristics, exposing them to our listing.”
In response to this exchange, Representative Roy declared his intention to introduce legislation aimed at revoking the SPLC’s tax-exempt status.
Turning Point USA spokesman Andrew Kolvet reacted strongly to Fair’s remarks via social media. “Badge of honor,” Kolvet wrote in a statement following the hearing. “Screw the SPLC.”
The hearing took place shortly after the Department of Justice filed an 11-count indictment against the SPLC in April. The indictment alleges that the organization defrauded its donors by concealing payments made to informants within extremist organizations while publicly claiming to combat racism.
Fair has consistently denied any wrongdoing, asserting that the DOJ charges are politically motivated. He also dismissed criticisms from Republicans who argue that the SPLC has unfairly labeled conservative groups as extremist while overlooking left-wing groups that express antisemitic views.
When Representative Roy specifically asked if the SPLC had designated any anti-Israel or Islamist groups as extremist, Fair appeared to struggle to provide a direct answer.
“Some say we’ve lost our way,” Fair told lawmakers, countering the criticism. “That’s false. We’ve never lost our North Star: a fair and just society for every person. All our programs advance that mission.”
Democrats largely defended the SPLC during the contentious hearing. House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Representative Jamie Raskin, D-Md., stated in his opening remarks, “The SPLC is an enduring institutional beacon of hope for millions of people seeking to create a more perfect union. The Trump administration is thus naturally trying to tear it down.”
