U.S. Representative Dan Goldman (D-NY) argued on social media with DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin over the DOJ’s investigation into the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), questioning the validity of the case.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel held a press conference Wednesday alleging the SPLC, a nonprofit legal advocacy organization, had secretly paid informants in white supremacist organizations, including the Ku Klux Klan.
Goldman reacted: “The DOJ uses paid informants all the time — why is it OK for them but not the SPLC. @splcenter plays a vital role in fighting hatred, yet has been unfairly targeted by Trump and House Republicans since day one. This politicized intimidation needs to stop, now.”
The DOJ uses paid informants all the time —why is it OK for them but not the SPLC? @splcenter plays a vital role in fighting hatred, yet has been unfairly targeted by Trump and House Republicans since day one.
This politicized intimidation needs to stop, now. https://t.co/8VjTgLsxU4
— Daniel Goldman (@danielsgoldman) April 21, 2026
McLaughlin replied to Goldman: “Correction: the @splcenter plays a vital role in *funding* hatred.”
Goldman, a former federal prosecutor in New York City who prosecuted Russian organized crime and Genovese crime family mobsters, replied to McLaughlin: “By this logic, the FBI ‘funds’ drug trafficking or terrorism every time they give an informant money to buy drugs or weapons (which happens all the time). This is one of the dumbest cases I have ever seen. Even for this DOJ.”
Welcome back to the chat @triciaohio!
By this logic, the FBI “funds” drug trafficking or terrorism every time they give an informant money to buy drugs or weapons (which happens all the time).
This is one of the dumbest cases I have ever seen. Even for this DOJ. https://t.co/NgcCyCIFRY
— Daniel Goldman (@danielsgoldman) April 22, 2026
U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) also objected to the DOJ indictment, saying: “This is part and parcel of Trump’s assault on free speech, on nonprofits, and on anyone who dares to disagree with him.”
Many in the conservative media disagreed with Goldman and Booker, asserting the SPLC “had it coming.”
Fox News legal editor Kerri Urbahn, who served as the DOJ’s Director of Public Affairs during the first Trump administration under Bill Barr, responded to the indictment and said on Fox Business: “At a minimum, this is a tremendous reputational blow to SLPC, but frankly they had it coming given how they have gone after Conservative Christians for so many years, putting people who defend traditional values and education on hate maps.”
[NOTE: Urbahn also served as Communications Director for Alliance Defending Freedom, which is listed as a “SPLC Designated Hate Group” for its “longstanding antipathy toward LGBTQ people, “ncluding its claim that a “homosexual agenda” will destroy Christianity and society.]
“At a minimum, this is a tremendous reputational blow to SLPC, but frankly they had it coming given how they have gone after Conservative Christians for so many years.”
Fox News Legal Editor @Kerri_Kupec speaking with @DavidAsmanfox on @FoxBusiness @EveningEdit
via #StudiGo… pic.twitter.com/jVqSwPfR9g
— StudiGo (@StudiGo_LLC) April 22, 2026