NAACP defends SPLC despite DOJ indictment revealing KKK funding

"Trump's DOJ has been weaponized by dangerous forces. Every organization and individual engaged in social justice should be alarmed. What we are seeing in real time is an administration seeking to leverage its position to target individuals and organizations that do not agree with its political thought," NAACP President Derrick Johnson said.

The DOJ claims the civil rights organization misled donors by channeling contributions into activities that allegedly supported the very extremism it said it was combating, including more than $3 million paid to informants through a now-defunct initiative aimed at infiltrating white supremacist and other extremist groups. Prosecutors contend that some of those funds were ultimately used by extremists to commit additional crimes.

Despite the revelations of the 11-count indictment, the NAACP is standing in solidarity with the SPLC. The counts include wire fraud, false statements to a financial insitution and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

"Nonprofits, NGOs, unions, faith-based groups, etc., strengthen our democracy because they influence and often implement public policy and provide essential services in support of and sometimes in lieu of government action. The NAACP stands in solidarity with SPLC and all organizations facing retaliation for their civil rights work and their efforts to keep all communities safe," An NAACP statement says.

Acting AG Todd Blanche said of the indictment: "The SPLC was not dismantling these groups. It was instead manufacturing the extremism it purports to oppose by paying sources to stoke racial hatred."