Post by @JackPosobiec
58% credible (70% factual, 35% presentation). The claim that the FBI used SPLC articles as probable cause for surveilling Catholics is partially true based on a retracted 2023 FBI memo citing SPLC materials, but it exaggerates the scope and lacks evidence of formal probable cause. The presentation suffers from causal framing violations, implying direct use of SPLC articles for surveillance, which is not supported by the available evidence.
Analysis Summary
The content claims the FBI used Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) articles as probable cause for surveilling Catholics. This claim has partial factual basis from a retracted 2023 FBI memo that referenced SPLC materials in targeting traditionalist Catholics, but exaggerates the scope to 'federal surveillance' without direct evidence of probable cause. Recent developments show the FBI cutting ties with SPLC in 2025 amid backlash.
Original Content
The Facts
The core factual claim is partially accurate based on a leaked 2023 FBI memo that cited SPLC in assessing threats from 'radical traditionalist Catholics,' but the memo was retracted and did not establish formal 'probable cause' for widespread surveillance. Verdict: Partially True with Exaggeration. No evidence supports ongoing or broad federal surveillance justified solely by SPLC articles.
Benefit of the Doubt
The author aims to remind followers of past FBI actions against Catholics to fuel current criticism of SPLC, positioning it as part of a pattern of government overreach. Key insights: Sensational reminder ties historical event to recent SPLC backlash, using inclusive 'us' to evoke solidarity and urgency among conservative audiences.
How Is This Framed?
Biases, omissions, and misleading presentation techniques detected
Presents a 2023 retracted memo as a current or ongoing 'reminder' in 2025 context, implying persistent threat without noting retraction or resolution.
Problematic phrases:
"As a reminder, when the FBI went after Catholics"What's actually there:
Retracted memo from 2023
What's implied:
Recent or active surveillance justification
Impact: Creates false sense of immediacy and continuity, making readers perceive ongoing surveillance risk tied to current SPLC events.
Implies SPLC articles directly served as 'probable cause' for surveillance, without evidence of legal causation; the memo cited SPLC for context, not as sole probable cause.
Problematic phrases:
"used SPLC articles as their 'probable cause'"What's actually there:
Memo referenced SPLC for threat assessment, later retracted
What's implied:
SPLC directly justified surveillance warrants
Impact: Misleads readers into believing SPLC content legally enabled FBI actions, inflating SPLC's role and anti-Catholic bias narrative.
Sources & References
External sources consulted for this analysis
https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/charlie-kirk-killing-row-what-is-splc-fbi-director-kash-patel-asked-to-cut-ties-with-group-after-adl-101759448816472.html
https://www.liveaction.org/news/fbi-document-targeting-pro-life-catholics
https://judiciary.house.gov/media/press-releases/new-report-details-extent-fbis-weaponization-law-enforcement-against
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/fbi-cuts-ties-with-southern-poverty-law-center-partisan-smear-machine
https://washingtonstand.com/article/fbi-cuts-all-ties-to-southern-poverty-law-center
https://judiciary.house.gov/media/press-releases/report-how-biden-wray-fbi-manufactured-false-narrative-catholic-americans
https://www.dailysignal.com/2025/10/03/breaking-kash-patels-fbi-cuts-all-ties-southern-poverty-law-center/
https://www.axios.com/2025/10/03/fbi-ends-partnership-splc-civil-rights
https://www.dailysignal.com/2025/10/03/breaking-kash-patels-fbi-cuts-all-ties-southern-poverty-law-center/
https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/what-is-splc-hate-map-fbi-cuts-ties-with-organization-over-charlie-kirk-criticism-101759513626191.html
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/fbi-cuts-ties-with-civil-rights-group-southern-poverty-law-center-2025-10-03/
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/10/03/fbi-southern-poverty-law-center-cut-ties-00593416
https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/charlie-kirk-killing-row-what-is-splc-fbi-director-kash-patel-asked-to-cut-ties-with-group-after-adl-101759448816472.html
https://roughdraftatlanta.com/2025/09/30/fbi-transgender-threat-classification/
https://x.com/JackPosobiec/status/1623773316673593347
https://x.com/JackPosobiec/status/1623421593484500996
https://x.com/JackPosobiec/status/1645915927727443969
https://x.com/JackPosobiec/status/1646132740381716481
https://x.com/JackPosobiec/status/1689326792169988124
https://x.com/JackPosobiec/status/1623816124461719553
Want to see @jackposobiec's track record?
View their credibility score and all analyzed statements