The Tom Woods Show Ep. 2703 Abolish the FBI
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Oct 25, 2025 C.J. Kilmer, host of the Dangerous History Podcast, dives into the dark legacy of the FBI, tracing its origins back to Teddy Roosevelt and the questionable tactics of J. Edgar Hoover. He discusses how the agency blurred lines between law enforcement and intelligence, particularly during the Red Scare and McCarthy era. Kilmer exposes COINTELPRO's deceptive methods aimed at civil rights leaders and highlights the troubling leverage Hoover had over politicians through compromising material. This riveting history unveils the sinister roots of a powerful institution.
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Questionable Origins Under Teddy Roosevelt
- The FBI began as a hastily created bureau under Teddy Roosevelt without clear congressional authorization.
- It was formed using executive action and departmental funds after Congress rejected formal creation in 1908.
Hoover's Early Rise In Wartime Expansion
- J. Edgar Hoover rose rapidly during wartime expansions and shaped the Bureau's domestic intelligence focus.
- Wilson-era mobilization and wartime powers launched Hoover into roles rounding up suspects and leading the Radical Division.
Dual Role: Law Enforcement And Intelligence
- The FBI functions both as law enforcement and as a domestic intelligence agency, with the latter historically prioritized.
- Hoover favored intelligence work because it avoided ordinary constitutional constraints and oversight.
