This Day LBJ Goes From War On Poverty To War On Crime (1968)
Jun 26, 2025
On June 26, 1968, President Johnson pivoted from fighting poverty to waging war on crime, signing a major crime bill that reshaped policing forever. The discussion highlights the swift change in political focus amid growing civil unrest. The hosts unpack the controversial militarization of local law enforcement and its effects on communities, especially minority populations. They also explore the unexpected consequences of protective legislation and how law and order politics have persisted, influencing future administrations in powerful ways.
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Shift from Poverty to Crime War
- The 1968 omnibus crime bill marked a shift from war on poverty toward a stricter war on crime approach.
- It empowered local police forces heavily and equipped them with military-grade equipment.
Origins of Law and Order Politics
- Law and order rhetoric originally targeted civil rights activists and protesters.
- By late 1960s, even Democrats sought to limit protections for the accused crime suspects.
Surveillance Against Activists
- The 1968 crime bill expanded wiretapping and surveillance programs.
- Such surveillance was often weaponized against activists like the Black Panthers.
