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Published on: VG

February 1942

United States. J. Edgar Hoover, director of the FBI for only five months, opposes President Roosevelt’s request to intern Japanese residents in the United States. Hoover argues that the request is based on widespread American opinion and political pressure, rather than on specific facts. He also warns that American farmers on the West Coast may have a direct interest in eliminating competition from Japanese farmers. Roosevelt, however, will press ahead and sign the infamous Executive Order 9066.