The Ben Shapiro Show What You Don't Know About The FBI
Oct 1, 2022
Explore the FBI's fascinating evolution from its 1908 founding, tackling interstate crime to becoming a national powerhouse during World War I and II. Delve into how public trust shifted throughout the Cold War, influenced by scandals and social movements. Discover the agency's controversial Co-Intelpro program and its impact on civil rights leaders. Finally, examine how events like Watergate and the Patriot Act reshaped the bureau's role and public perception in a post-9/11 world.
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FBI's Origin and Early Challenges
- The FBI's creation stemmed from a need to address interstate crime, reflecting a tension between state and federal powers.
- Its early history reveals a recurring struggle between political agendas and genuine crime-fighting.
Early FBI Overreach
- Woodrow Wilson utilized the FBI to enforce the Espionage and Sabotage Acts during World War I, suppressing political dissent.
- The Palmer Raids, targeting communists, exemplify the FBI's early overreach, blurring lines between real threats and political motivations.
Hoover's Influence and Prohibition's Impact
- J. Edgar Hoover's leadership brought professionalism to the FBI, including meritocratic hiring and centralized crime records.
- Prohibition inadvertently strengthened the FBI, providing an opportunity to combat organized crime and gain public recognition.