Cato Daily Podcast

The Triumph of Fear: Domestic Surveillance and Political Repression from McKinley Through Eisenhower

14 snips
Apr 4, 2025
Patrick Eddington, a senior fellow at the Cato Institute and author of "The Triumph of Fear," delves into the historical roots of federal surveillance and political repression in America. He discusses the rise of government surveillance post-McKinley's assassination, highlighting Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson's expansive measures. Eddington explores the tension between civil liberties and national security during wartime, as well as the legacy of these practices from early 20th century through the Cold War, revealing how fear continues to shape modern governance.
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ANECDOTE

McKinley's Assassination and Surveillance

  • McKinley's 1901 assassination by an anarchist spurred increased surveillance.
  • This led to the 1903 Anarchist Exclusion Act and expanded Secret Service use.
ANECDOTE

Roosevelt, Secret Service, and the Bureau

  • Roosevelt used Secret Service to investigate a Navy ensign's affair, not criminal law.
  • This led to Congressional restrictions and the creation of the Bureau of Investigation.
ANECDOTE

Roosevelt's Use of Secret Service

  • Teddy Roosevelt used the Secret Service to investigate political rivals like Senator Borah.
  • This involved surveillance and potential mail intercepts, but produced no conviction.
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