SPLC asks judge to toss DOJ charges

The Southern Poverty Law Center asked a federal judge to dismiss Justice Department fraud charges, arguing the indictment is a vindictive prosecution driven by President Trump and senior administration officials.

1. Frame 1SPLC asked an Alabama federal judge to dismiss Justice Department fraud charges as vindictive prosecution.
2. Frame 2The April indictment says the civil-rights nonprofit misled donors and banks over paid informants inside extremist groups.
3. Frame 3SPLC says law enforcement knew about the informant program and an earlier inquiry ended without criminal charges.
4. Frame 4Its motion points to public attacks from Trump and senior officials as evidence of retaliation.
5. Frame 5Defense lawyers say prosecutors sought no new documents or current-employee interviews before charges were coming.
6. Frame 6Next legal test: the judge decides whether due process tosses the indictment or sends it toward trial.