Ex-neo Nazi says Trump revoked Obama-era grant for group

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A former skinhead who co-founded an organization to fight “far-right extremism” now claims that President Donald Trump took away a grant for his group, Life After Hate, from the Obama era.

“Under President Obama, my organization, Life After Hate, was awarded a $400,000 grant to help combat far-right extremism,” co-founder Christian Picciolini told CBS News’ John Dickerson Sunday. “And when President Trump took office, immediately that grant was rescinded.”

“We were the only organization of the pool of grantees that was focused on white supremacist, extremists and disengaging people from that movement,” Picciolini said.

He also told the New York Times that he believes the grant was revoked because he has been critical of Trump on social media, and the president is notorious for lashing out at people who criticize him in a public space.

However, Homeland Security spokesman David Lapan said that Picciolini’s claims were “inaccurate.”

“The grants initially announced in January were reviewed upon direction — and with new guidance — from then-Secretary (John) Kelly and awardees were announced in late June,” Lapan said.

Life After Hate, which was founded in 2011, has its focus on helping those who want to leave hate groups and on helping people to understand racism.

“Everybody at Life After Hate is a former extremist, so we understand the (motivations) of why people join,” Picciolini said. “But, more importantly, we understand what it takes to get out of these groups.”