Luke LaManna

Bob had no idea what that meant. He started to worry. What if they'd done all of this for nothing? Finally, after about an hour of reading through paperwork on office protocol, Bob heard someone shout. They had found something and began to read one of the memos aloud. The memo was dated a few months earlier and addressed to agents who were investigating activists.

The document told agents to conduct more interviews with protesters and dissidents, so they were highly aware of the law enforcement presence. The memo said their goal was to enhance the paranoia and get the point across that there is an FBI agent behind every mailbox. Bob looked at the rest of the group. They were all as shocked as he was. Bob grabbed the document. He had to see for himself.

The document told agents to conduct more interviews with protesters and dissidents, so they were highly aware of the law enforcement presence. The memo said their goal was to enhance the paranoia and get the point across that there is an FBI agent behind every mailbox. Bob looked at the rest of the group. They were all as shocked as he was. Bob grabbed the document. He had to see for himself.

After reading it over several times, there was no doubt. It seemed like FBI agents weren't there to investigate crimes. They were there to intimidate activists who hadn't even broken the law. He was buzzing with excitement. There were still thousands of other documents to look through. This was just the tip of the iceberg. Bob was certain there would be a lot more damning evidence to uncover.

After reading it over several times, there was no doubt. It seemed like FBI agents weren't there to investigate crimes. They were there to intimidate activists who hadn't even broken the law. He was buzzing with excitement. There were still thousands of other documents to look through. This was just the tip of the iceberg. Bob was certain there would be a lot more damning evidence to uncover.

And once they had all the proof they needed, he was equally sure they'd be able to show the rest of the country just how crooked the FBI really was. About two weeks later, on March 23, 1971, journalist Betty Metzger walked into the mailroom of the Washington Post's office in D.C., She'd been a reporter with the Post for about a year now.

And once they had all the proof they needed, he was equally sure they'd be able to show the rest of the country just how crooked the FBI really was. About two weeks later, on March 23, 1971, journalist Betty Metzger walked into the mailroom of the Washington Post's office in D.C., She'd been a reporter with the Post for about a year now.

Before that, she worked in Philadelphia, covering anti-Vietnam protests, among other topics. At 29, she was unlike most of her coworkers, who were older men who'd been in the game for decades. Metzger knew they underestimated her, which is why she was so eager to prove them wrong. Metzger opened up her mailbox. As she rifled through various letters, one large envelope stood out to her.

Before that, she worked in Philadelphia, covering anti-Vietnam protests, among other topics. At 29, she was unlike most of her coworkers, who were older men who'd been in the game for decades. Metzger knew they underestimated her, which is why she was so eager to prove them wrong. Metzger opened up her mailbox. As she rifled through various letters, one large envelope stood out to her.

The return address was Liberty Publications, Media, Pennsylvania. She'd never heard of them, but she did know the name Media. Something had happened there recently that had been in the news. She just couldn't remember what. Metzger set the large stack of letters down and placed the manila envelope in front of her.

The return address was Liberty Publications, Media, Pennsylvania. She'd never heard of them, but she did know the name Media. Something had happened there recently that had been in the news. She just couldn't remember what. Metzger set the large stack of letters down and placed the manila envelope in front of her.

She had a long to-do list this morning, but couldn't stop herself from tearing it open. Inside was a cover letter, along with 14 documents. The letter had stated it was from the Citizens Commission to investigate the FBI. It went on to explain that the commission had sent these documents to Metzger and others who had shown concern and courage about the issues documented in the enclosed materials.

She had a long to-do list this morning, but couldn't stop herself from tearing it open. Inside was a cover letter, along with 14 documents. The letter had stated it was from the Citizens Commission to investigate the FBI. It went on to explain that the commission had sent these documents to Metzger and others who had shown concern and courage about the issues documented in the enclosed materials.

Metzger furrowed her brow. She wasn't sure what that meant, but this seemed intriguing. As she began reading through the documents, she only became more confused, and then concerned. The first document was about instructing FBI agents to enhance the paranoia among activist groups. Metzger thought how odd it was for this to be a stated goal.

Metzger furrowed her brow. She wasn't sure what that meant, but this seemed intriguing. As she began reading through the documents, she only became more confused, and then concerned. The first document was about instructing FBI agents to enhance the paranoia among activist groups. Metzger thought how odd it was for this to be a stated goal.

Just a few weeks ago, the Assistant Attorney General had testified to Congress that government intelligence agencies were not trying to intimidate protesters. This document was a complete and utter reversal of that. Metzger eagerly read on. Other documents revealed that FBI head J. Edgar Hoover himself had ordered agents to closely monitor black students and black student organizations.

Just a few weeks ago, the Assistant Attorney General had testified to Congress that government intelligence agencies were not trying to intimidate protesters. This document was a complete and utter reversal of that. Metzger eagerly read on. Other documents revealed that FBI head J. Edgar Hoover himself had ordered agents to closely monitor black students and black student organizations.

Hoover's memos described these groups as potentially violent and urged his agents to secretly investigate them. Another file showed that the FBI had a network of informants throughout U.S. universities. These informants looked like ordinary switchboard operators, letter carriers, and even some college administrators, but they reported information about students and professors to the FBI.

Hoover's memos described these groups as potentially violent and urged his agents to secretly investigate them. Another file showed that the FBI had a network of informants throughout U.S. universities. These informants looked like ordinary switchboard operators, letter carriers, and even some college administrators, but they reported information about students and professors to the FBI.

Another document said that every black student at Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania, regardless of their political affiliation, was under surveillance. Metzger was stunned. This was a bombshell of a story if she'd ever seen one. But before she could do anything, she knew she had to confirm the legitimacy of the documents. She went over to her editor's desk to tell him what she had just read.