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Shocking new allegations against the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) are a reminder that much of the divisiveness in America today is manufactured by grifters and fraudsters who profit from hatred and hostility while pretending to combat it. But President Trump now has an opportunity to truly bring the country together this Independence Day by correcting one of the greatest lies that the SPLC helped spread by restoring the Reconciliation Monument to Arlington National Cemetery.
Late last week, the Department of Justice dropped a bombshell 11-count indictment on the SPLC for fraud. The indictment alleges that the organization funneled more than $3 million in donor money raised to “fight extremism” straight into the pockets of Ku Klux Klan leaders, neo-Nazis, Aryan Nations figures, and even organizers of the deadly Charlottesville Unite the Right rally.
In other words, DOJ alleges, while the SPLC claimed that it was working to dismantle “hate groups,” it was quietly bankrolling them in order to fuel the narrative that the United States is a hateful and racist country – and thus entice donors to give even more. Hypocrisy doesn’t even begin to cover it.
At the same time that the SPLC was apparently lining the pockets of actual extremist groups, they were also smearing patriotic Americans and historical monuments as racist and divisive. As one part of that crusade, the group helped spearhead the successful movement to pressure the Biden administration to remove Arlington National Cemetery’s Reconciliation Monument (the one the left loves to call a “Confederate Memorial”).
SPLC labeled the monument “pro-slavery” and “anti-American,” demanded that the Biden Pentagon tear it down, and celebrated another victory in their campaign to sanitize our past.
As I pointed out in a separate piece published by AMAC, the Reconciliation Monument wasn’t some glorification of slavery or injustice. Built in 1914, it was a symbol of national healing. Commissioned under President William Howard Taft and sculpted by Moses Jacob Ezekiel, a Jewish Confederate veteran, Virginia Military Institute graduate, and one of the finest artists of his era, the monument stands (or stood) near the graves of nearly 500 Confederate soldiers, sailors, and civilians in Section 16. Its frieze depicts Southern life, black figures included, and its inscription calls for “peace” and “reconciliation.” It echoes Abraham Lincoln’s own words: binding up the nation’s wounds “with malice toward none.”
Ezekiel himself is buried at its base, having requested that the monument be his grave marker. The monument wasn’t about rewriting the Civil War; it was about acknowledging that Americans on both sides paid a terrible price, that most Confederate soldiers were fighting for home and hearth (not plantations they didn’t own), and that true unity comes from remembering the past honestly, not pretending it never happened.
Arlington itself is proof of this fact. Land once belonging to Robert E. Lee now holds the honored dead from every American war, including Union and Confederate soldiers. President William McKinley opened those graves to former Confederates in 1900 to heal the nation. That’s the American way.
Yet here we are. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth did the right thing last August when he announced that the monument would be restored, slamming the “woke lemmings” who ripped it down. “Unlike the Left, we don’t believe in erasing American history, we honor it,” he said.
The Army has announced plans for a $10 million refurbishment and reinstallation – but not until 2027. That timeline is too slow and rife with political landmines.
President Trump and Secretary Hegseth should accelerate the monument’s restoration. Get Moses Ezekiel’s masterpiece back in place before July 4, 2026, the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. What better way to celebrate the birth of our Republic than by rejecting the politics of division and historical erasure?
While the SPLC stands exposed for funding the very hatred they profit from, let’s show the world what real unity looks like and use this as a new reconciliation moment. Not the fake “equity” the left peddles, but the honest, hard-won unity that only comes from confronting our full history, slavery’s evil, the bravery of those who ended it, and the tragedy of brother-against-brother conflict.
Our troops, our veterans, and every American who still believes in “one nation under God” deserve a military that teaches the real lessons of Arlington: courage, sacrifice, and the hard road to reconciliation. Erasing monuments erases truth and reality itself, not racism.
As an American military officer and a member of a family whose military service began in July 1775, my lineage has spent 251 years fighting to preserve the values that make America the greatest nation on earth. The Reconciliation Monument represents those values, and it deserves a place of honor.
President Trump, you campaigned on this exact fight. Secretary Hegseth, you’ve already led the charge. Finish it by Independence Day. The American people – especially those who wear the uniform – are watching, and history will thank you.
Rob Maness is a retired Air Force Colonel, a former wing and squadron commander, veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, a survivor of the 9/11 Pentagon Attack, Graduate of the U.S. Navy War College and Harvard Kennedy School, a former U.S. Senate Candidate, Chairman of GatorPAC, CEO and Owner of Iron Liberty Group LLC, and Host of the Rob Maness Show on WorldViewTube.
The SPLC has been leftist organization since its beginning. It only goes after those situations that will make them money as they truly don’t care about those that they supposedly represent. It is about time for the government to go after these organizations that are anti-American.
The SPLC must be the lowest of the low
their actions speak louder than their words
As an America Vietnam Veteran who has visited Arlington National Cemetery
I am truly sickened by what the left has done and especially what the SPLC has done to further the undermining of our country,
Mr President please restore the Reconstruction Monument As Soon As Possible, while and in concert with the DOJ as it dismantles the SPLC
Amen! Great article! This monument represents our history. Maybe a not so happy time in history but nonetheless it is our history!
Republicans need to use this in advertising for the mid-term elections to make the low information voters aware of what the demparty is really up too.
Not even an oz of caring for their supporters.
Right on, Colonel! Signed, USAF 05 MSC (Ret)
The SPLC seems to be a maximized corporate version of the black female professor who, when there was no vitriolic racism occurring against her, stunningly painted horrible racial slurs on her own car to “prove” how racist our country is.
Every organization claiming to help and uplift the downtrodden exploits and uses them to their own benefit and enrichment, that is the only reason for their existence .
Couldn’t agree more.
AMEN! THIS NATION WAS FOUNDED – ONE NATION UNDER GOD! AND IT DESERVES TO REMAIN SO! WE NEED TO SHOW THE WORLD THAT A NATION BUILT ON GOD BASED RIGHT’S IS THE ONLY WAY A NATION CAN SURVIVE BEYOND 250 YEARS!!!
We will all know after the investigation if the allegations are fair. If this group like so many other radical liberal organizations turns out to be true, they must be stopped. And the monument should be restored, regardless.
What can ever be found to halt the hatred of liars and reveal the love of Americans for Americans. This writer, this article reminds me that: ‘the mills of the god’s grind slow but grind exceedingly fine.’ The Reconciliation Monument, The Fourth of July holiday and Arlington Cemetery would provide an excellent opportunity for reminding all of us that: “much of the divisiveness in America today is manufactured by grifters and fraudsters who profit from hatred and hostility while pretending to combat it.”
This is a great article. I learned about this historical monument. I know the Democrats want to destroy our history – piece by piece is being erased. I have heard that other countries have erased their history so the children will not know the truth. Read 1984 by George Orwell and you’ll read how history can be erased and forgotten.
I only have one word to say about and for this article…AMEN!!
The Leftists and their supporters have been, and continue to be CORRUPT AND PURE EVIL.
When I was a kid (years and years and years ago), I NEVER thought ‘Murica would turn out this way.
I did not.
I’m a 100% disabled Army Veteran and that Memorial should have never been taken down in a cemetery. That was dishonorable and a disgrace. Yes the sooner it’s back the better. Why wait?
Didn’t take that long to take it down.
A nation should never try to erase its history. Politicians are cowards with the few when they should stand up for what’s not right. Thank you
The SPLC is a democratic orginazation did you expect honesty. Just look at James Carvel the anti Christ another democrat who hates. Carvel is nothing but a liar!!!!
Thank you for this most informative and excellent article! The SPLC, like many leftist organizations, is what Abraham Lincoln warned about, and must be dismantled. And, the Reconciliation Monument should be restored before our nation’s 250 birthday celebration! Godspeed, Brethren! Retired Navy Surface Warfare O6.
What can ever be found to halt the hatred of liars and reveal the love of Americans for Americans. This writer, this article reminds me that: ‘the mills of the god’s grind slow but grind exceedingly fine.’ The Reconciliation Monument, The Fourth of July holiday and Arlington Cemetery would provide an excellent opportunity for reminding all of us that: “of the divisiveness in America today is manufactured by grifters and fraudsters who profit from hatred and hostility while pretending to combat it.
Great article! History should not be hidden or forgotten. When you learn and remember history, you will not repeat it. That’s a valuable lesson for everyone to remember.
No one should ever want to repeat history. The lessons should and are etched in stone. Let them stand for all to see forever! SPLC Should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law and put out of business forever!
Thank you for this excellent article. The Reconciliation Monument’s restoration should be completed before our nation’s 250th! Godspeed, brethren! Retired Navy Surface Warfare O6.
Close it down and distribute its funds to veterans.
SPLC should be charged with fraud and eliminated .
Great article!
I agree with having the statue restored and up by July 4 2026. Do it NOW.
Colonel Maness, I salute you and your family and their service to our country. History is how we got here, and should be revered and taught honestly.
I can’t believe that statues of Thomas Jefferson,WHO WROTE THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, were torn down. And the beautiful statue of Teddy Roosevelt that used to grace the entrance to New York’s Museum, was removed. Good luck getting Mayor Mondavi to replace it…
Most of the Civil War monuments in town squares throughout America were erected between the late1890s to about 1910 when the youngest surviving veterans had aged and prospered enough to become senior leading citizens influential enough to fund the projects. Some of the foundaries provided statues depicting the heroes of both sides to suit the customers partisanships. There was one I used to visit at a veterans parish graveyard of the 18th and 19th Centuries in the West Farms district of the Bronx on Vyse Avenue and E 177 Street. The Union Infantry soldier holding a bayoneted rifle musket was vandalized piecemeal for sale to local scrap yards to exploit demand for metal during the Viet Nam War. The stone pedestal remains with a plaque mounted by the Bronx Historical Society.
Good riddance to another libtard organization.
This situation needs to stop being blamed on the SPLC & the Biden Administration. The Republicans have had control of the executive & legislative branches long enough to have restored this monument to its rightful place by now. They need to quit stalling and get on with it.