'Hoover Obsessed9 (Press, 16 December 1975)
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Summary: 'Hoover Obsessed9 (Press, 16 December 1975)
According to a report by "Time" magazine set for its December 22 issue, J. Edgar Hoover, the former head of the FBI, had an intense preoccupation with illicit sexual behaviour, particularly concerning public figures. The article details an incident where Hoover expressed strong criticism of a student from Kent State University, who was one of the victims in the infamous National Guard shooting. During a Justice Department meeting aimed at addressing the killings, Hoover branded the woman as promiscuous. One participant recalled that after Hoover's lengthy tirade, the attendees felt embarrassed and left the room silently. The magazine further reveals that Hoover was particularly upset by reports of sexual liaisons involving Dr Martin Luther King Jr with white women. In addition, it is alleged that Hoover attempted to exert influence over a Congressman by using information regarding his homosexuality to encourage him to support the FBI’s initiatives. Despite persistent rumours about Hoover's own sexuality, suggesting he may have been homosexual, the magazine argues that he seemed to be fundamentally asexual and wholly consumed by his work at the FBI. This is contrasted with the presence of nude artworks in his home, including a famous photograph of Marilyn Monroe, which raises questions about the dichotomy between his personal interests and public persona. The report also touches on an attempt by President Nixon to remove Hoover from his position by appointing him as a special consultant on crime. However, Hoover reportedly received advance notice of this plan and monopolised a breakfast meeting with Nixon, which deterred the President from following through with the appointment. A former aide to Nixon commented that the President ultimately backed down from the proposal.
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