Interim Southern Poverty Law Center CEO Bryan Fair declined to say if he regrets placing conservative activist Charlie Kirk on the organization's "hate list" [1].
The exchange highlights an ongoing conflict between Republican lawmakers and the SPLC over the criteria used to label individuals and groups as hate groups. Critics argue these designations are used to target political opponents rather than genuine extremists.
Fair testified before the House Judiciary Committee on June 9, 2026 [2]. During the hearing in Washington, D.C., Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) questioned the interim CEO about the specific designation of Kirk [1].
"Do you regret that?" Issa said [1].
Fair did not provide a yes or no answer to the question. The refusal to express regret comes as Republican lawmakers seek accountability for the SPLC's past practices [1]. These lawmakers are questioning the organization's methodology and the impact such labels have on public discourse, focusing on whether the designations are applied consistently across the political spectrum.
The SPLC has historically monitored various organizations and individuals, but the House Judiciary Committee is now scrutinizing those lists for potential bias [1]. The hearing serves as part of a broader effort by the committee to examine the influence of non-profit organizations on political activity and the labeling of conservative figures.
“"Do you regret that?"”
This confrontation underscores the deepening divide over how 'hate speech' and 'hate groups' are defined in the U.S. By summoning the SPLC to a congressional hearing, Republicans are attempting to challenge the legitimacy of the organization's designations, potentially framing these labels as political tools rather than objective civil rights monitoring.
