Top Things the Government Doesn't Tell You

The vaults have been unlocked. For over a century, the FBI has kept countless documents under wraps—until now. These government secrets are now accessible to everyone. Here are fifty of the most astonishing declassified secrets of the FBI, including details about one of America’s most enigmatic figures. #50. Alive or Dead? After World War II, the world rejoiced at the news of Nazi leader Adolf Hitler’s death. Despite confirmation that he perished in a Berlin bunker as Allied forces closed in, rumors swirled. Did Hitler escape like many of his Nazi comrades, perhaps to South America? Did he shave his mustache and blend into suburban life, as one ill-fated sitcom suggested? The rumors were persistent enough that the FBI investigated his possible survival. The declassified documents revealed...nope, he’s dead. This wasn’t the only FBI investigation tied to the war. #49. The Wife J. Robert Oppenheimer, the brilliant physicist pivotal in the United States’ race to the atomic bomb, was largely trusted by the government despite some past leftist associations. However, his wife was a different story. A trained biologist working at Los Alamos to study radiation’s effects on the human body, she had a past that concerned the FBI. Her early involvement with communist activist Joseph Dallet Jr. and membership in the Communist Party led to an investigation into her current affiliations, resulting in her husband’s security clearance being downgraded. But many FBI investigations of the era were even more extensive. #48. Detention! Even before President Roosevelt’s notorious executive order that led to the internment of Japanese-Americans, the government was already arresting people. During the war, anyone deemed a security threat could be detained by the government during the national emergency, focusing on three groups: Japanese-Americans, German-Americans, and Italian-Americans. The FBI meticulously recorded the numbers. But not all FBI investigations are negative. #47. The Money Man It’s rare for someone to play a crucial role on the home front in two world wars, but Bernard Baruch was no ordinary man. The stock market tycoon chaired the War Industries Board under Woodrow Wilson and later advised President Roosevelt on industry and production. With such close ties to the President, the FBI naturally scrutinized him. Did they find any red flags? Given his later appointment to the United Nations Atomic Energy Commission by Harry Truman, it’s safe to say no. Sometimes, FBI investigations confirm what’s already known. #46. Operation Paperclip When the US government decided to recruit former Nazis for its nuclear and space programs after the war, thorough background checks were essential. The FBI was tasked with investigating these scientists’ wartime activities to determine if they were valuable and clean enough to become Americans. Now, Americans can explore the original reports on figures like Arthur Rudolph and Wernher Von Braun on the FBI’s website. But sometimes, the FBI aimed to prevent war before it started. #45. Flying SOLO While the US never went to war with the Soviet Union, paranoia about communist infiltration was rampant. This led to the creation of SOLO, an intelligence operation spanning two decades. It placed agents within the Communist Party of the United States to uncover if they were passing information to communist nations like the Soviet Union or China. The operation was primarily led by two agents, now revealed to be Russian Jewish immigrants Morris and Jack Childs, whose backgrounds made them ideal for infiltrating Russian communist circles. However, not all espionage investigations are above board. #44. In the Bag How do you get a search warrant when the investigation is classified? Simple—you don’t. During the 1940s and beyond, the FBI frequently conducted Black Bag Operations, where they would break into homes or businesses under the cover of darkness to search for evidence without informing the subjects. Many of these operations never led to criminal prosecutions and were only disclosed when the files were declassified. The tactic continued until 1966, when it was ordered to stop and was declared unconstitutional in 1972. But not all FBI investigation targets are obvious. #43. The Lady of Peace Jane Addams was a leading early feminist reformer, a tireless advocate for women’s suffrage and public housing during the progressive era. She even became the first American woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for her anti-war and anti-imperialist efforts. So why did the FBI have a file on her? A treason investigation, of course. When World War I began, Addams remained steadfast in her anti-war stance and founded a women’s party dedicated to peace. In the 1920s, her opposition to the persecution of communist activists caught the FBI’s attention, but they found no criminal charges to pursue. However, one peace movement led to more investigations than any other. #42. Yippie? The Vietnam War ignited fierce debates, and many anti-war activists found themselves under government scrutiny. Leading the charge was Abbie Hoffman, whose legal entanglements culminated in the infamous “Trial of the Chicago Eight.” Hoffman’s group, the Youth International Party, or Yippies, was a frequent target of FBI investigations over five years. Delving into FBI archives reveals an extensive fifty-part series on this vibrant character, later portrayed by Sacha Baron Cohen in the film The Trial of the Chicago 7. A single bloody day would come to symbolize the Vietnam protest movement and spark years of FBI scrutiny. #41. Blood on American Soil What began as a typical peace rally in 1970 at Kent State University in Ohio, protesting the National Guard’s presence on campus due to the war’s expansion into Cambodia, turned tragic. The National Guard opened fire on the unarmed crowd, killing four students and wounding nine others, including two bystanders. The incident triggered massive nationwide protests. Despite the outcry, none of the Guardsmen faced criminal charges, but the FBI’s investigation spanned years, documented in a twenty-two part series. Some FBI cases, however, are less grave. #40. There’s No Place Like Home? Few movie artifacts are as iconic as Dorothy’s ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz. Their theft from the Judy Garland Museum in 2005 made headlines. Initially reported to the police, the case was soon taken over by the FBI due to its interstate nature. It took over a decade and a complex sting operation involving multiple agents to recover the stolen shoes and return them to their rightful place. Yet, some cases border on the absurd. #39. Sing That Song “Louie Louie, oh no. Me gotta go.” This catchy tune is likely stuck in your head now. But what does it mean? No one really knows, not even the FBI. When The Kingsmen’s hit song debuted in 1963, it sparked curiosity and suspicion. Were the lyrics secretly obscene or politically charged? The FBI spent a year investigating, only to conclude that the lyrics were as indecipherable as ever. The FBI’s musical investigations didn’t stop there. #38. Not Fab The Beatles were adored by fans worldwide, but the U.S. government was less enamored, particularly with John Lennon. The Nixon administration harbored suspicions that Lennon’s influence could sway the 1972 election. This led to an FBI investigation and the Immigration and Naturalization Service’s attempt to deport Lennon. Although Lennon was never banned from the U.S., he canceled plans for an American tour, a small victory for Nixon, later uncovered by journalist Jon Weiner. You might be surprised by how many celebrities have FBI files. #37. Before the White House It’s no shock that Ronald Reagan had an FBI file, given his presidency. However, his file dates back to 1947 when he was President of the Screen Actors Guild. Why would the FBI be interested in a staunch conservative like Reagan? Because he was a fervent anti-communist, collaborating with federal agents to identify suspected communists in Hollywood. Reagan, along with his then-wife Jane Wyman, acted as informants. Another beloved figure also had ties to the FBI. #36. The Mouse’s Secret Walt Disney, the man behind Mickey Mouse and Disneyland, was a staunch traditionalist. He valued the image of all-American happiness and was wary of anything that threatened it, including unpopular political views. Disney’s collaboration with the government began with World War II propaganda films and continued long after, providing information on un-American activities in Hollywood. He was even named a Special Agent in Charge Contact, maintaining his government ties until his death in 1966. Many celebrities have FBI files for less official reasons. #35. The Lady Sings Why did Whitney Houston have an FBI file? The late singer’s tumultuous life, marked by drug issues, financial troubles, and chaotic relationships, drew the government’s attention. The FBI was particularly interested in her associates, including a stalker who attempted to extort $250,000 from her. But why would one of the most uncontroversial singers be on the list? #34. Take Me Home? John Denver, known for his wholesome, easy-listening country music, seemed like the last person to attract FBI attention. Yet, he had a thirty-three-page FBI file, documenting his anti-war activism, occasional drug use, and the stalkers and death threats he faced as a celebrity. The FBI even delved into some notorious tabloid stories.