What role did J.Edgar Hoover play in the second red scare?

J. Edgar Hoover, as the director of the FBI, played a pivotal role in the Second Red Scare by aggressively promoting the threat of communism in the United States. He spearheaded efforts to investigate and suppress suspected communist activities through surveillance, infiltration, and public campaigns. Hoover’s tactics, including the use of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Program (COINTELPRO), contributed to heightened paranoia and the persecution of various political dissidents, civil rights activists, and leftist organizations. His influence helped shape public perception of communism as a pervasive threat, reinforcing the atmosphere of fear during the era.