Recently declassified FBI FOIA documents concerning Smedley Butler & the Fascist Plot

[JonLP24]

https://vault.fbi.gov/smedley-butler/Smedley%20Butler%20Part%2001%20of%2001/view

https://vault.fbi.gov/smedley-butler/Smedley%20Butler%20Part%2001%20of%2001/at_download/file (pdf -- about 40 pages)

This was released 8/10/2017

On edit -- other parts address other things outside of the fascist plot but all related to Smedley Butler. Nothing really earth shattering though some parts are still redacted.

[haveahart]

1. So how does one read these documents? They don't open for me.

[JonLP24]

2. Try this

https://vault.fbi.gov/recently-added

Scroll down to "Smedley Butler". Should be near the top. A whole bunch of different stuff was released 8/10/2017. Reading the documents some parts are still redacted for some reason.

[Demsrule86]

3. Such a fascinating story...and although it was clear during congressional hearings, these folks were

guilty, Roosevelt refused to allow prosecution due to fear of people losing all faith in capitalism. I did a paper on it in college.

[brush]

4. Didn't he also threaten to expose them if they opposed his New Deal legislation?

[Demsrule86]

7. This has been rumored...but many implicated did oppose the new deal legislation so ...who knows?

They planned to kill Roosevelt if he did not go quietly. We are talking about bringing fascism to this country. They wanted to overthrow our Republic. If General Butler who was a Marine (Semper fi) had not ratted the conspirators out to Congress...they might have succeeded.

[brush]

8. Yeah, the American Liberty League. I know about it. Many prominent American families were involved

And many of their national brands are still extant.

[Demsrule86]

9. Yes and their descendants participated in 2008 one way or the other.

[Laxman]

5. A Couple Of Things From Those Documents.....

that have some resonance today. First, the work of investigative reporters was considered reliable enough to be included as part of the FBI's investigation. (and how important that investigative work is for democracy). Always remember that when Trump yells about the "lying press". The second, the then head of the NRA was in on the plot. The more things change, the more they just stay the same.

[mitch96]

6. And who was one of the Wall Streeters involved in the coup?

One Prescott Bush.. Father of 41 and GF of 43... Ahh the legacy.. The BBC did a radio documentary on this attempted coup years ago.. They stated all the information was freely accessible thru the library of congress. They eluded that's how FDR got social security thru.. Pass it or face a firing squad... I'd say that was a motivator...
I love Butlers quote.. "War is a racket" ...

45's father, Fred tRump was arrested at a KKK rally in the '20's..... Of course they deny it and a fred trump was listed on the arrest docket. Could there be two of them??? hummmmmmm..