FBI Cuts Ties with ADL Amid Accusations of Political Bias and “Spying on Conservatives”:

In a surprising move that has stirred political and social debate, the United States’ top law enforcement agency, the FBI, has officially severed its ties with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). The announcement came from FBI Director Kash Patel on Wednesday, following growing conservative criticism of the ADL’s work and alleged political bias. Patel accused the ADL, a prominent Jewish civil rights organization and longtime watchdog against antisemitism and hate, of operating as a “political front” and claimed it had been “spying on conservatives.” He also linked the ADL to former FBI Director James Comey, who has been openly critical of former President Donald Trump and was recently indicted on charges of obstruction and lying to Congress. “This FBI won’t partner with political fronts masquerading as watchdogs,” Patel said in a brief but strongly worded social media statement. He alleged that Comey had embedded agents within the ADL and referred to his past praise of the organization as “love letters.” However, Patel did not provide concrete evidence to support these claims. Comey had previously expressed strong support for the ADL during his tenure. In a 2014 speech, he described the group’s input on hate crime investigations as “essential,” and said its training for FBI personnel was “eye-opening and insightful.” His collaboration with the ADL included incorporating its programs into FBI hate crime training initiatives. The FBI’s move to distance itself from the ADL follows a wave of backlash from conservative influencers, including tech billionaire Elon Musk. Criticism intensified after the ADL included right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA (TPUSA), in its now-removed “Glossary of Extremism and Hate.” Kirk, who died earlier this year, had been described by the ADL as promoting “Christian nationalism,” spreading conspiracy theories, and attracting extremists to his organization’s events. Following the outrage, the ADL quietly removed over 1,000 entries from its glossary, stating the decision was based on concerns that some terms were outdated or had been misrepresented. A spokesperson said the aim was to prevent “misuse and misunderstanding” of the list. In response to the FBI's decision, the ADL issued a statement affirming its mission and expressing continued respect for law enforcement. “We remain more committed than ever to our core purpose: to protect the Jewish people and combat hate in all forms,” the organization said. “We deeply respect the FBI and all who serve to keep Americans safe, regardless of race, faith, or political beliefs.” The severed partnership raises questions about the future of collaborations between civil society organizations and federal agencies, particularly when political lines are so starkly drawn. As accusations fly and public trust continues to erode, both the FBI and ADL now face increased scrutiny from the communities they serve.

NEWS