Administrations/eisenhower-1/Event

April 23, 1956intelligence operationsurveillanceassociation rightsCold Warpolitical organizingGovernmentJusticeCivil Rights

FBI launches COINTELPRO against the Communist Party

The FBI opened COINTELPRO operations against the Communist Party, using covert tactics to disrupt lawful political organizing as well as alleged subversive activity. The program later expanded to civil-rights, Black liberation, antiwar, and other movements, becoming a central government-surveillance record in U.S. speech history.

Sources

Final Report of the Select Committee to Study Governmental Operations with Respect to Intelligence Activities COINTELPRO Records of the Church Committee