USAID pushes back against SPLC pressure: is this a turning point?

Is the SPLC in decline?

The corrupt Leftist smear factory SPLC received a major setback from a welcome source: USAID, which refused to give in to the SPLC’s pressure over Samantha Power’s attendance at a religious freedom conferences which includes a number of conservative groups. The reason being, of course, that those conservative groups involved with what is a bipartisan and multi-faith summit are smeared as “hate groups” by the SPLC. These groups include the Family Research Council and Alliance Defending Freedom.

Whatever legitimate criticisms we may have of USAID and Samantha Power, in this instance they can be commended for resisting a bully and smear machine on an important issue. Moreover, the Left has proven itself the enemy of religious freedom both at home and abroad.

If USAID can push back against this (and this is also taking into consideration Power’s own Democratic Party leanings), what does this tell you about the SPLC? Could it be that agencies like USAID have grown a backbone and are less likely now to be bullied by the SPLC and their ilk? Is it a sign that the Leftist smear machine, backed up by big money and allies in the media and universities, is now in decline?

The SPLC has had bad press this year for more than just its odious smears of conservatives. Back in June, they announced layoffs of staff and a restructuring of operations, outraging unionised workers. Many have wondered why such a wealthy nonprofit felt the need to do this, and some even speculated this is related to the general crisis of progressive politics since October 7 2023.

Going further back, the SPLC was in the spotlight in 2019 for its toxic work culture which led to the ousting of Morris Dees (whose conduct has long been an open secret in Alabama) and essentially a purge of the old guard leadership. The new leadership, even more overtly radical and with staff reflecting that, do not seem to have the same drive as their predecessors, considering their access to vast financial resources. The change of leadership was window-dressing, many are suspicious that it was a coup.

Shockingly, the vices of the SPLC such as corruption and a toxic corporate culture is far from unique in the world of nonprofits. Many such entities purport to be progressive and virtuous organisation with the mission to make the world “better”, or in other words, to lecture society about what they think is “right” for everyone. Yet they are often bloated and corrupt entities with toxic work practices, in some cases even exploitative. They are corporations in all but name, and do not be fooled by the term nonprofit.

Perhaps the SPLC already reached the summit of its influence in American society, and as normal Americans increasingly chafe under a toxic social environment dictated by the Left, the SPLC may well begin to lose its undeserved “moral authority”. The sooner this happens, the better for America - and the Free World.

But even when this happens, the battle is far from won. It won’t be until we tackle the evils evident in today’s academia and NGOs.