People are just realizing the FBI held 1,427 secret files on Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein, best known for his theory of relativity and Nobel Prize-winning work, was secretly monitored by the FBI for over 20 years. After moving to the U.S. in 1932, Einstein became vocal on social issues such as war, racism, and capitalism. His activism, particularly his criticism of capitalism and support for civil rights, drew the attention of FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover, who labeled him an “extreme radical.” By the time of Einstein’s death in 1955, his FBI file had grown to over 1,400 pages.

Einstein’s progressive views further fueled suspicion during a time of heightened fear around communism. He condemned segregation, famously calling it a “disease of white people,” and supported African-American rights, even housing singer Marian Anderson when she was denied a hotel room. Though initially a pacifist, Einstein warned the U.S. about the threat of nuclear weapons under Hitler, later advocating for global disarmament. Despite the surveillance, Einstein believed in America’s value of free thought—key to his scientific achievements. As people recently uncovered this surveillance history online, many expressed surprise, noting how rarely this aspect of his life is taught or discussed.

Why did the FBI keep a watch-list + 1,400+ secret files on Albert Einstein? Was he really seen as a danger just for being anti-fascist, pro-peace & pro-science?
byu/Mr–Clean–Ass-Naked inNoStupidQuestions