On this day August 20, in 1971,the FBI began an investigation of journalist Daniel Schorr.
Schorr, caught the ire of President Richard Nixon’s administration, after he refused to retract a story about the president’s failure to set up a program to fund Catholic schools. The FBI launched a background check on Schorr, interviewing friends, neighbors and co-workers.
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When confronted about the investigation, the White House said it was considering Schorr for a job in the environmental field. Schorr knew nothing about it.
Three years later, during the Watergate hearings, it was revealed that White House aides had drawn up what became known as “Nixon’s Enemies List.” When this list was released, Schorr read it live on television, not realizing that he was on the list. It read, “Daniel Schorr, Columbia Broadcasting System, Washington: A real media enemy.”
On the Nixon Tapes, Bob Haldeman told the president that the IRS and FBI are “going after” Schorr and other journalists. Nixon replied, “Pound these people.”
Schorr turns 93 this month.
– Scott McCabe
