Sunday night, we discussed the Southern Poverty Law Center’s motion to “address the government’s materially false statements.” It’s an extremely unusual motion coming from a defendant in a criminal case.
I’m not sure where or how you find the time to do all you are doing and write this in depth piece about the SPLC indictment, Joyce, but thank you for all you do! This is a great article!
Pamela, and I would love to see some disbarments for those who put this scheme together with its lies and disinformation. I think Blanche should go first with Patel a close second. The FBI folks should know better, but with Patel in charge, it is like a bratty unsupervised playground with no one having a clue what is going on, but that there are a lot of targets their bully-in-chief is pointing out to them.
Thousands of small cuts, these people are dangerous, and it is hard to understand why they are so hell bent on destroying this country.. if they have children, even more difficult to grasp.
I've thought that myself. All I can come up with is they don't see the same America we do. They see a small, self centered, white supremacist minority and think that's America. That's where they want the power and that's where they think their kids will live. Miserable life.
I'll put greed and intolerance at the top of the characteristics that motivate the DJT followers and MAGAites. They do not believe that a rising tide lifts all boats. They believe that if they can push most people down, they will rise. It usually doesn't work that way, and hopefully it won't this time!
Maybe you are not taking the trouble to understand why "they are so hell bent on destroying this country."
The fact is that they are only "hell bent" on destroying our country for others, but not for themselves.
For themselves, they are reaping the rewards accorded them within our own constitution by granting them unlimited powers over our government (office of president - executive branch) and over the purse (legislative branch.)
We have the SCOTUS that has been corrupted beyond the imagination of anyone who has lived in the United States of America for as long as I have (81-years).
So, at this time, unless voters rescue our government by electing Democrats, and kicking out the Republicans, the Trump/Republican criminal regime will remain in control of the Judicial Branch, Executive Branch and Legislative Branch.
In order to "fix" this problem, we must vote them out and change the priorities. That is a simple enough solution and one that must take place if we are to get our country back under the control of the people and out of the hands of the criminals.
We must also instill a code of ethics into the Supreme Court like exists for every other court in the land, eliminate the shadow docket, and remove Roberts, Alito, and Thomas, at a minimum.
Forget a “code of ethics “. We need enforceable anti-corruption laws that apply to everyone including the so-called Supreme Court. No more cushy, insulated protection from accountability.
D.O. Olson, I think this destruction is an orgasmic experience for these bratty white boys. They remind me of the Hitler Youth of the 1930s who got off on hurting classmates and other kids who were different from themselves. They only nominally wanted to please their leader, but on the local level, they wanted to prove themselves real men who could do harm to anyone they chose, as long as it wasn't the child of one of the local leaders, and they were well-informed who those locals to avoid were. There were boys who behaved that way when I was growing up too, but most of the kids ignored them or got them to do something in front of teachers so they would be punished, and punishment was in front of the whole class, an appalling practice. Right now, there is no accountability or punishment of any kind for this Trumpian regime's illegal, unjustified behavior. That needs to change! Disbarment for the top guys at DOJ would be a good start! Impeaching or 25th Amendmenting Trump would be a good action too!
Because the America they want to bring about is not governed by the Rule of Law. They seek an authoritarian government where the rule is whatever they say it is - and you had better do whatever they say.
So far, the lies, lies, and more lies seem to get traction. E.g., We have a war; we don't have a war; we have a different war. Therefore, the War Powers Act is irrelevant. If he says it, it must be true. Fight, kill, destroy, and billionaires get feted and the Trump family gets richer. I'd love for all of this to be a bad dream, but I think it's all true.
I see Putin implants all throughout Congress and these once coveted agencies. Putin and the Russians have studied our history intently. It’s through their guidance that Trump even rose to the power he had in the past and present.
Thank you for keeping us updated! I just made a donation to SPLC, through our DAF. Fortunately, our foundation is not blocking grants to SPLC, as I read today in the WSJ, is happening elsewhere. It's getting very scary out there as the Administration continually tries to silence those it disagrees with.
I've been a monthly contributor to SPLC for a while now. They are on the front lines of a vicious - and very, very old - fight. I want them to keep going.
This is so fricking terrifying, Joyce! And by the way, I tried to send money to SPLC from my Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund today, and the site claimed it couldn't find it (even though I have donated to it in the past from said fund), and when I typed in the name it brought up a list that did not have it listed. I was so furious I sent them a message and said it was shameful of them to do this. I am deeply distressed about this, in addition to feeling totally sucker-punched by our vile criminal autocratic administration, the assinine do nothing Congress, and the kowtowing nauseating supremes. You do know they are going to try and stop us from even having elections, right? Or if we have them and there is a blue tsunami, drumpf will claim it is all fraudulent and refuse to accept the results. It just makes me weep!
Maybe the time for "weeping" was in 2015 when our nation was convinced to ignore a common criminal's attacks on women, minorities, and everyone else except white anglo-saxon protestants, and deigned to elect him president of our hard fought and won constitutional republic.
It's a little late for crying. But it's never too late to take action that is intended to right the wrongs that are inflicted upon our great nation by a criminal regime that is singularly motivated by greed and revenge taking.
We start by putting them in jail and leaving them there. It's remarkable how that works to tame the beast of corruption.
I've been dealing with Fidelity for a long, long time. I doubt there is a deliberate problem here. When I have issues, I call them on the phone! It works.
I am going to call Fidelity this morning to look into this. Since all my 2025 tax stuff is still sitting in a banker's box on my coffee table (sigh), I dug out the contribution letter I received from SPLC dated 02/04/26. Incorporated in 1971, SPLC is tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. If I learn anything, I will report it here. This should NOT be happening.
Leslie - I just got off the phone with Fidelity and here is what I learned. First, you are correct that SPLC has been delisted but it was not a decision made by Fidelity. Apparently, the government rules requires such companies like Fidelity to delist any organization which is under indictment. At such time as the indictment is withdrawn or a trial establishes innocence, SPLC will return to Fidelity's list. I don't know whether this will cheer or distress you.
We all knew Blanche was lying when he made those comments about SPLC supporting white supremacy - I swear, everyone in the Trump admin thinks we are stupid and will buy the crap they are selling. Each state Bar Association needs prosecute these attorneys on ethics charges and make them face disbarment.
The damage to the regular order of the Blanche and Bad Bondi administration of the DOJ will take decades to recover. Now watch: Aileen Cannon will probably get a cushy job approved by our hopeless Senate under Chuck Grassley (poster boy for term limits).
When a group of judges and lawyers filed a complaint against Bondi to the Florida bar, they denied the complaint on the basis that she was holding high public office. I assume that the same would apply to any other cabinet official.
That shouldn't preclude refiling after she left office. I hope that they followed up and refiled it because she, more than any other lawyer in the United States, has inflicted irreparable damage upon our constitutional frame work and rule of law. And that doesn't even begin to address the human toll of misery and suffering her actions caused to other human beings. I'm thinking James Comey and Letitia James in particular.
Blanche made another openly false statement when he was so, er, stupid to state this, "the United States of America has no intention of making any false or misleading statements in this case or any other case. It is well aware of its obligations under the law and applicable rules and will act accordingly.” What we've seen so far in this unAmerican alleged "administration" is nothing BUT false and misleading statements based on NO evidence and a cabal of people who have NO CLUE what its obligations under the law are--or even that they have any obligations whatsoever, The Demented One certainly believes there's no such thing as an obligation to the law or The People, in spite of his oath of office.
This statement should be added to the list of false statements the government has made in this case. (This is, of course, in my own always-ever-so-humble opinion.)
The issue at hand isn't what the United States of America would do, it is what a licensed attorney who has legal standing to bring actions before the court would do, in this case, the Middle District of Alabama Northern Division.
The ABA's Model Rules of Professional Conduct, "Rule 3.3: Candor Toward the Tribunal", strictly prohibits a lawyer from knowingly making false statements of fact or law to a court.
This rule is a cornerstone of legal ethics, establishing that a lawyer's duty as an officer of the court to ensure the integrity of the judicial process outweighs their duty of loyalty to the client.
Key obligations under Rule 3.3 include the requirement to correct any false statements of material fact or law, and to avoid offering evidence known to be false. If false evidence is introduced, the lawyer must take reasonable remedial measures, including, if necessary, disclosing the information to the tribunal, even if it violates client confidentiality.
Violations can lead to severe disciplinary actions, including disbarment.
It should have lead to Blanche's disbarment when he lied to the New York judge during Trump's criminal trial.
Wow. Thanks. And short of giving the Grand Jury transcripts to the SPLC, the Court could ask to read them itself to see if there was a problem with truth-telling in the secrecy of the GJ room.
I also made a donation to SPLC. I have donated to them for years and will continue to do so. The judge must do their job in a non partisan manner. Our so called department of injustice is so corrupt that the image in my head is of the building going up in flames when this regime leaves office. Thank you for your clear explanation. 🔥
Judges should take violations like this personally— they threaten the whole point of judges’ work. I don’t think the remedy suggested by SPLC does anything close to undoing the harms. Judge review Grand Jury records, if justified, release them to the defense. If Grand Jury was lied to, grant the (surely) immediately forthcoming splc motion to kill the indictment with prejudice and refer any attorney whose name is on it or who made those false statements in public to their bar for investigation, discipline and criminal charges if possible.
These people are vile. Honest to god, they will stoop so low and pat themselves on the back. I donated to SLPC today. I hope this is the proverbial silver lining for them and donations will come pouring in.
My guess is that the so-called government knowingly misinstructed and/or misled the grand jury by specifically criminalizing the SPLC investigative methods and paying informants to infiltrate extremist groups, in particular, since this is the crux of its whole case. It represents the basis for claiming the SPLC defrauded its donors by misleading them about how their money would be used, and that misrepresentation was material to their decision to donate. Without being able to prove fraud, the so-called government's charge of conspiracy to commit money laundering collapses automatically, because money laundering requires “proceeds of unlawful activity.” No unlawful activity, no proceeds, no laundering. So, in summary the indictment:
*Lacks a clearly articulated material misrepresentation
*Relies on a novel theory that paying informants is inherently deceptive
*Fails to explain why donors were legally entitled to know about specific investigative methods
*Leaves unclear what the SPLC supposedly lied about, and to whom
If any one of the required elements is missing, the charges cannot stand.
THE DOJ under Bad Bondi and Blanche has flushed its credibility. All they care about is how many appearances on FOX they can garner that, in turn, our president sees and applauds.
Joyce, thank you for bringing this case out in the full sunshine to expose just how the current regime is seeking to destroy SPLC, an esteemed group that fights against dangerous hate groups. It’s encouraging to see the effective motions by SPLC and the flat-footed, disingenuous responses by Blanche. Let’s hope there’s a ton of positive coverage of SPLC to offset the lies the gov’t is trying to spread!
Watching the Stephen Colbert issue with Barack Obama. Aren’t we lucky. I can’t wait to see his library. The combover library is a joke even before it is completed. I hope the orange man burns in hell with all his oligarchs. I hope I live long enough to see that. If I don’t I hope one of my deserving relatives does.
I’m not sure where or how you find the time to do all you are doing and write this in depth piece about the SPLC indictment, Joyce, but thank you for all you do! This is a great article!
Maureen, Joyce 'finds time' because of paid subscribers like you allow for qualified staff assistance. Many thanks to Joyce and Staff.
Well said, Professor Vance. Lying to the grand jury in order to secure an indictment is unacceptable and unethical.
Pamela, and I would love to see some disbarments for those who put this scheme together with its lies and disinformation. I think Blanche should go first with Patel a close second. The FBI folks should know better, but with Patel in charge, it is like a bratty unsupervised playground with no one having a clue what is going on, but that there are a lot of targets their bully-in-chief is pointing out to them.
The Atlantic has a bottle of Ka$h's private reserve bourbon.
and punishable? will there be consequences this time?
Thousands of small cuts, these people are dangerous, and it is hard to understand why they are so hell bent on destroying this country.. if they have children, even more difficult to grasp.
I've thought that myself. All I can come up with is they don't see the same America we do. They see a small, self centered, white supremacist minority and think that's America. That's where they want the power and that's where they think their kids will live. Miserable life.
It must be driven by hate and anger. Miserable childhoods, greed, intolerance, and vengeance.
I'll put greed and intolerance at the top of the characteristics that motivate the DJT followers and MAGAites. They do not believe that a rising tide lifts all boats. They believe that if they can push most people down, they will rise. It usually doesn't work that way, and hopefully it won't this time!
Maybe you are not taking the trouble to understand why "they are so hell bent on destroying this country."
The fact is that they are only "hell bent" on destroying our country for others, but not for themselves.
For themselves, they are reaping the rewards accorded them within our own constitution by granting them unlimited powers over our government (office of president - executive branch) and over the purse (legislative branch.)
We have the SCOTUS that has been corrupted beyond the imagination of anyone who has lived in the United States of America for as long as I have (81-years).
So, at this time, unless voters rescue our government by electing Democrats, and kicking out the Republicans, the Trump/Republican criminal regime will remain in control of the Judicial Branch, Executive Branch and Legislative Branch.
In order to "fix" this problem, we must vote them out and change the priorities. That is a simple enough solution and one that must take place if we are to get our country back under the control of the people and out of the hands of the criminals.
We must also instill a code of ethics into the Supreme Court like exists for every other court in the land, eliminate the shadow docket, and remove Roberts, Alito, and Thomas, at a minimum.
Forget a “code of ethics “. We need enforceable anti-corruption laws that apply to everyone including the so-called Supreme Court. No more cushy, insulated protection from accountability.
That is a sweet dream.
Or at the least enlarge the court to better represent the voters and dilute their self-serving/self-dealing decisions.
D.O. Olson, I think this destruction is an orgasmic experience for these bratty white boys. They remind me of the Hitler Youth of the 1930s who got off on hurting classmates and other kids who were different from themselves. They only nominally wanted to please their leader, but on the local level, they wanted to prove themselves real men who could do harm to anyone they chose, as long as it wasn't the child of one of the local leaders, and they were well-informed who those locals to avoid were. There were boys who behaved that way when I was growing up too, but most of the kids ignored them or got them to do something in front of teachers so they would be punished, and punishment was in front of the whole class, an appalling practice. Right now, there is no accountability or punishment of any kind for this Trumpian regime's illegal, unjustified behavior. That needs to change! Disbarment for the top guys at DOJ would be a good start! Impeaching or 25th Amendmenting Trump would be a good action too!
Lord of the Flies?
Because the America they want to bring about is not governed by the Rule of Law. They seek an authoritarian government where the rule is whatever they say it is - and you had better do whatever they say.
So far, the lies, lies, and more lies seem to get traction. E.g., We have a war; we don't have a war; we have a different war. Therefore, the War Powers Act is irrelevant. If he says it, it must be true. Fight, kill, destroy, and billionaires get feted and the Trump family gets richer. I'd love for all of this to be a bad dream, but I think it's all true.
Trump is Putin’s Puppet.
THAT is why Trump is doing everything he can to destroy the United States of America.
They get their marching orders from a criminal...a thief and abuser who is hell bent on stealing everything that's not nailed down.
Too many more small cuts, and we die.
I see Putin implants all throughout Congress and these once coveted agencies. Putin and the Russians have studied our history intently. It’s through their guidance that Trump even rose to the power he had in the past and present.
Thank you for keeping us updated! I just made a donation to SPLC, through our DAF. Fortunately, our foundation is not blocking grants to SPLC, as I read today in the WSJ, is happening elsewhere. It's getting very scary out there as the Administration continually tries to silence those it disagrees with.
I've been a monthly contributor to SPLC for a while now. They are on the front lines of a vicious - and very, very old - fight. I want them to keep going.
Me too. Not a lot but an every-month autopay. For years.
The best way to support the SPLC is via their own website:
https://www.splcenter.org/support-us
Unless you want to donate through a DAF (donor advised fund).
This is so fricking terrifying, Joyce! And by the way, I tried to send money to SPLC from my Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund today, and the site claimed it couldn't find it (even though I have donated to it in the past from said fund), and when I typed in the name it brought up a list that did not have it listed. I was so furious I sent them a message and said it was shameful of them to do this. I am deeply distressed about this, in addition to feeling totally sucker-punched by our vile criminal autocratic administration, the assinine do nothing Congress, and the kowtowing nauseating supremes. You do know they are going to try and stop us from even having elections, right? Or if we have them and there is a blue tsunami, drumpf will claim it is all fraudulent and refuse to accept the results. It just makes me weep!
You sound hysterical.
Maybe the time for "weeping" was in 2015 when our nation was convinced to ignore a common criminal's attacks on women, minorities, and everyone else except white anglo-saxon protestants, and deigned to elect him president of our hard fought and won constitutional republic.
It's a little late for crying. But it's never too late to take action that is intended to right the wrongs that are inflicted upon our great nation by a criminal regime that is singularly motivated by greed and revenge taking.
We start by putting them in jail and leaving them there. It's remarkable how that works to tame the beast of corruption.
Are you a bot?
I thought so also...I told "it" as much and was reported for harassment !
B of A can do this.
I've been dealing with Fidelity for a long, long time. I doubt there is a deliberate problem here. When I have issues, I call them on the phone! It works.
Fidelity has delisted SPLC from approved DAF directed donations. Not an oversight. The harm is already happening.
I am going to call Fidelity this morning to look into this. Since all my 2025 tax stuff is still sitting in a banker's box on my coffee table (sigh), I dug out the contribution letter I received from SPLC dated 02/04/26. Incorporated in 1971, SPLC is tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. If I learn anything, I will report it here. This should NOT be happening.
Leslie - I just got off the phone with Fidelity and here is what I learned. First, you are correct that SPLC has been delisted but it was not a decision made by Fidelity. Apparently, the government rules requires such companies like Fidelity to delist any organization which is under indictment. At such time as the indictment is withdrawn or a trial establishes innocence, SPLC will return to Fidelity's list. I don't know whether this will cheer or distress you.
Both
Well, one bright spot here: if you're determined (and you sound VERY determined!), there's nothing stopping you from making a direct contribution.
Frankly, in my opinion, Fidelity's website could use some assistance - in some cases, it is neither logical nor intuitive.
We all knew Blanche was lying when he made those comments about SPLC supporting white supremacy - I swear, everyone in the Trump admin thinks we are stupid and will buy the crap they are selling. Each state Bar Association needs prosecute these attorneys on ethics charges and make them face disbarment.
The damage to the regular order of the Blanche and Bad Bondi administration of the DOJ will take decades to recover. Now watch: Aileen Cannon will probably get a cushy job approved by our hopeless Senate under Chuck Grassley (poster boy for term limits).
When a group of judges and lawyers filed a complaint against Bondi to the Florida bar, they denied the complaint on the basis that she was holding high public office. I assume that the same would apply to any other cabinet official.
That shouldn't preclude refiling after she left office. I hope that they followed up and refiled it because she, more than any other lawyer in the United States, has inflicted irreparable damage upon our constitutional frame work and rule of law. And that doesn't even begin to address the human toll of misery and suffering her actions caused to other human beings. I'm thinking James Comey and Letitia James in particular.
Any possible consequences for lawyers who abuse the system this way? Disbarment?
Blanche made another openly false statement when he was so, er, stupid to state this, "the United States of America has no intention of making any false or misleading statements in this case or any other case. It is well aware of its obligations under the law and applicable rules and will act accordingly.” What we've seen so far in this unAmerican alleged "administration" is nothing BUT false and misleading statements based on NO evidence and a cabal of people who have NO CLUE what its obligations under the law are--or even that they have any obligations whatsoever, The Demented One certainly believes there's no such thing as an obligation to the law or The People, in spite of his oath of office.
This statement should be added to the list of false statements the government has made in this case. (This is, of course, in my own always-ever-so-humble opinion.)
The issue at hand isn't what the United States of America would do, it is what a licensed attorney who has legal standing to bring actions before the court would do, in this case, the Middle District of Alabama Northern Division.
The ABA's Model Rules of Professional Conduct, "Rule 3.3: Candor Toward the Tribunal", strictly prohibits a lawyer from knowingly making false statements of fact or law to a court.
This rule is a cornerstone of legal ethics, establishing that a lawyer's duty as an officer of the court to ensure the integrity of the judicial process outweighs their duty of loyalty to the client.
Key obligations under Rule 3.3 include the requirement to correct any false statements of material fact or law, and to avoid offering evidence known to be false. If false evidence is introduced, the lawyer must take reasonable remedial measures, including, if necessary, disclosing the information to the tribunal, even if it violates client confidentiality.
Violations can lead to severe disciplinary actions, including disbarment.
It should have lead to Blanche's disbarment when he lied to the New York judge during Trump's criminal trial.
Well, they are "well aware", but to them "act accordingly" means "craft our [lies] carefully".
This lawyer is in awe of what you do.
Wow. Thanks. And short of giving the Grand Jury transcripts to the SPLC, the Court could ask to read them itself to see if there was a problem with truth-telling in the secrecy of the GJ room.
I also made a donation to SPLC. I have donated to them for years and will continue to do so. The judge must do their job in a non partisan manner. Our so called department of injustice is so corrupt that the image in my head is of the building going up in flames when this regime leaves office. Thank you for your clear explanation. 🔥
Judges should take violations like this personally— they threaten the whole point of judges’ work. I don’t think the remedy suggested by SPLC does anything close to undoing the harms. Judge review Grand Jury records, if justified, release them to the defense. If Grand Jury was lied to, grant the (surely) immediately forthcoming splc motion to kill the indictment with prejudice and refer any attorney whose name is on it or who made those false statements in public to their bar for investigation, discipline and criminal charges if possible.
Enough is enough.
These people are vile. Honest to god, they will stoop so low and pat themselves on the back. I donated to SLPC today. I hope this is the proverbial silver lining for them and donations will come pouring in.
My guess is that the so-called government knowingly misinstructed and/or misled the grand jury by specifically criminalizing the SPLC investigative methods and paying informants to infiltrate extremist groups, in particular, since this is the crux of its whole case. It represents the basis for claiming the SPLC defrauded its donors by misleading them about how their money would be used, and that misrepresentation was material to their decision to donate. Without being able to prove fraud, the so-called government's charge of conspiracy to commit money laundering collapses automatically, because money laundering requires “proceeds of unlawful activity.” No unlawful activity, no proceeds, no laundering. So, in summary the indictment:
*Lacks a clearly articulated material misrepresentation
*Relies on a novel theory that paying informants is inherently deceptive
*Fails to explain why donors were legally entitled to know about specific investigative methods
*Leaves unclear what the SPLC supposedly lied about, and to whom
If any one of the required elements is missing, the charges cannot stand.
THE DOJ under Bad Bondi and Blanche has flushed its credibility. All they care about is how many appearances on FOX they can garner that, in turn, our president sees and applauds.
Just finished the Obama interview with Stephen Colbert. There were great young people running the show. We will be ok.
Joyce, thank you for bringing this case out in the full sunshine to expose just how the current regime is seeking to destroy SPLC, an esteemed group that fights against dangerous hate groups. It’s encouraging to see the effective motions by SPLC and the flat-footed, disingenuous responses by Blanche. Let’s hope there’s a ton of positive coverage of SPLC to offset the lies the gov’t is trying to spread!
Watching the Stephen Colbert issue with Barack Obama. Aren’t we lucky. I can’t wait to see his library. The combover library is a joke even before it is completed. I hope the orange man burns in hell with all his oligarchs. I hope I live long enough to see that. If I don’t I hope one of my deserving relatives does.