Stealing J. Edgar Hoover’s Secrets | Retro Report

Explore how a break-in at an FBI office in Media, Pennsylvania, followed by a massive leak of documents, provided the first tangible evidence that J. Edgar Hoover’s FBI was systematically targeting and harassing hundreds of American citizens. Congressional investigations soon led to more revelations of secret, illegal FBI actions, followed by sweeping reforms. The burglars were never caught, despite a five-year investigation. This video examines the COINTELPRO program and its impact on public discourse and policy shifts surrounding the delicate balance between the government’s ability to maintain national security measures while respecting individual privacy and civil liberties.