
Hoover | The Library Clerk Who Became All Powerful | 1
Legacy
00:00
The Seeds of Paranoia: Early Days of National Security
This chapter explores the early career of a key figure in the U.S. Department of Justice during World War I, who wielded significant power over the internment of individuals based on their ancestry. It highlights the socio-political climate of that era, including the first Red Scare and the Palmer raids, revealing how fear and paranoia directed governmental responses towards immigrants and dissenters. By drawing connections between historical and contemporary fear-mongering, the chapter emphasizes the ongoing impact of these narratives on national identity and immigration policy.
Transcript
Play full episode