Expanding Powers Amidst Wartime Fears
In 1940, as Nazi forces swept into France, American fears of espionage on home soil surged. President Roosevelt, worried about “fifth column” spies, expanded FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover’s powers, permitting the FBI to conduct wiretaps and surveillance. Hoover used this mandate to broaden the FBI’s role from criminal investigations to national security.
Building the FBI’s Intelligence Capabilities
Hoover moved quickly to prepare the FBI for intelligence work. The FBI recruited more agents, received training from British intelligence, and opened new field offices in strategic locations like Hawaii, Alaska, and Puerto Rico. He also formed the National Defense Division to monitor potential threats from German and Communist sympathizers.
A Wartime Intelligence Agency Emerges
The FBI adapted its labs and resources to the demands of intelligence work. Traditional forensics gave way to new techniques, from decoding microfilm to intercepting enemy communications. Hoover’s expansion of the FBI during WWII laid the groundwork for its future role as a key agency in national security and intelligence.
How WWII Shaped the Modern FBI 🧵
In 1940, as Nazi forces invaded France, American fears of enemy espionage increased. President Roosevelt expanded the FBI’s powers, allowing Director J. Edgar Hoover to conduct surveillance, including wiretaps, to counter perceived "fifth… pic.twitter.com/ApfRTzie4W
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