Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
“Why would a group that’s opposing something fund that very thing they say they oppose?”
That’s the question the Today’s Issues hosts ask while discussing the criminal case involving a former Southern Poverty Law Center official and allegations surrounding the organization’s financial activity.
In this conversation, the hosts discuss charges against former SPLC chief financial officer Heidi Beirich, including wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to submit false statements to a federally insured bank and conspiracy to commit concealment money laundering. The discussion includes audio attributed to U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche describing alleged efforts to open bank accounts under fictitious company names and make payments to individuals for inaccurately described purposes.
The hosts then turn to allegations they say emerged from the broader investigation: that money was directed to extremist organizations the SPLC claimed to oppose. The hosts stress the apparent contradiction and ask why an organization known for identifying “hate groups” would financially support groups associated with the activity it condemns.
The story is especially personal for American Family Association. During the conversation, Tim recounts AFA’s history of being designated a “hate group” by the SPLC. They also recall reports from members of the military and law enforcement who said AFA appeared in training materials about extremist or hate groups.
The discussion broadens into the relationship between advocacy organizations and the federal government, including the use of SPLC materials by government agencies during previous administrations. The hosts also revisit the IRS controversy involving conservative nonprofit organizations during the Obama administration and Lois Lerner’s invocation of the Fifth Amendment before Congress.
The defendants and organizations discussed are entitled to the presumption of innocence regarding criminal allegations unless and until guilt is established in court.
“Why would a group that’s opposing something fund that very thing they say they oppose?”
That’s the question the Today’s Issues hosts ask while discussing the criminal case involving a former Southern Poverty Law Center official and allegations surrounding the organization’s financial activity.
In this conversation, the hosts discuss charges against former SPLC chief financial officer Heidi Beirich, including wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to submit false statements to a federally insured bank and conspiracy to commit concealment money laundering. The discussion includes audio attributed to U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche describing alleged efforts to open bank accounts under fictitious company names and make payments to individuals for inaccurately described purposes.
The hosts then turn to allegations they say emerged from the broader investigation: that money was directed to extremist organizations the SPLC claimed to oppose. The hosts stress the apparent contradiction and ask why an organization known for identifying “hate groups” would financially support groups associated with the activity it condemns.
The story is especially personal for American Family Association. During the conversation, Tim recounts AFA’s history of being designated a “hate group” by the SPLC. They also recall reports from members of the military and law enforcement who said AFA appeared in training materials about extremist or hate groups.
The discussion broadens into the relationship between advocacy organizations and the federal government, including the use of SPLC materials by government agencies during previous administrations. The hosts also revisit the IRS controversy involving conservative nonprofit organizations during the Obama administration and Lois Lerner’s invocation of the Fifth Amendment before Congress.
The defendants and organizations discussed are entitled to the presumption of innocence regarding criminal allegations unless and until guilt is established in court.
