One of those bits of common wisdom that bears repetition is that history repeats itself, for better and for worse. Trump’s choice for FBI director is a case in point. Kash Patel has vowed to go after his boss’s perceived enemies, including members of the press. Doesn’t this ring a bell?
Under J. Edgar Hoover, the FBI conducted its notorious Cointelpro operations against activists and others Hoover deemed enemies of the state. Colbert King, writing in the Washington Post, advises us: As you consider Kash Patel, remember J. Edgar Hoover’s Cointelpro.
“Under Cointelpro, the FBI:
Sent anonymous fictitious materials to targeted groups, designed to “create dissension and cause disruption.”
Leaked informant-based or investigative materials to friendly media sources for the purpose of exposing the nature, aims and membership of those groups.
Deployed informants to disrupt such groups’ activities by sowing dissension and exploiting disputes.
Informed employers, prospective employers, credit bureaus and creditors of targeted people’s “illegal, immoral, radical and Communist Party activities,” aiming to damage their financial or employment status.
Told people that the FBI was “aware” of their activity, with the goal of developing them as informants.”
Attempted to persuade religious and civic leaders to exert pressure on state and local governments, employers and landlords to the “detriment” of the targeted groups.
Sent anonymous letters, including one to a political candidate alerting him that a targeted group’s members were active in his campaign and warning him not to be a “tool,” and another to a school board official, “purporting to be from a concerned parent,” pointing out that some candidates for the school board were members of a certain group.
Furnished background on a candidate for public office, including arrests and questionable marital status, to news media contacts; furnished information concerning arrests of an individual to a court that had earlier given him a suspended sentence and furnished this same information to his employer, which later fired him.
Made “an anonymous telephone call to a defense attorney, after a federal prosecution had resulted in a mistrial, advising him (apparently falsely) that one of the defendants and another well-known group individual were FBI informants.”
Put out disinformation over “citizens band” radio, using the same frequency as demonstrators.
Obtained tax returns of suspect group members, reproduced a group leader’s signature stamp and investigated a group leader’s love life.
This ugly history is why we should pay attention to Patel’s vow to “go after” people. It’s been done before and recovering from those violations of our civil rights took decades. Among the many troubling aspects of the incoming Trump administration, turning back this particular clock is near the top of the list.
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