WASHINGTON DC — House Democrats opened an investigation into whistleblower allegations that Associate Deputy Attorney General Aakash Singh pressured federal prosecutors in Alabama to rush an indictment of the Southern Poverty Law Center despite concerns about the strength of the case. The allegations claim Singh ordered prosecutors to file criminal charges against the organization over the objections of attorneys who questioned the evidence.

According to the whistleblower allegations, Singh told federal prosecutors that President Donald Trump was their "chief client" and that anyone uncomfortable should step aside. He also encouraged prosecutors to investigate a group funded by George Soros, suggested a wide range of criminal charges, and pressed prosecutors to crack down on protesters. Singh was also involved in the push to prosecute Kilmar Ábrego García, according to the allegations.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche held a press conference on April 21 to announce an 11-count indictment against the Southern Poverty Law Center charging wire fraud, making a false statement to a bank, and conspiring to launder money. The charges stemmed from a now-defunct program in which the organization paid informants to infiltrate extremist groups and shared information with law enforcement.

The Justice Department said in a post on X that it had methodically built the case against the Southern Poverty Law Center for years. The department added in the post that the U.S. Attorney personally presented the case and would not have done so without full confidence in it. The U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama declined to comment.

The Southern Poverty Law Center has denied all wrongdoing. Lawyers representing the organization filed for a court order blocking the government from making further prejudicial statements against it.