The Department of Justice unleashed a shocking and often
violent unconstitutional nationwide dragnet — detaining as
many as 10,000 people — on this day in history, Jan. 2, 1920.

Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer (above) appointed to the
office 10 months earlier by President Woodrow Wilson, led the
sweep against suspected communists and anarchists, as well
as their sympathizers.

The action was soon dubbed the Palmer Raids. 

The Foundation for Economic Education said…"The raids
constituted a horrific, shameful episode in American history,
one of the lowest moments for liberty since King George III
quartered troops in private homes."

The foundation called the effort under President Wilson
"America’s reign of terror."

Thomas Woodrow Wilson
(December 28, 1856 – February 3, 1924)

A young Justice Department official, J. Edgar Hoover, 
played a key role in the Palmer Raids. He was named
FBI director in 1924.