COINTELPRO
[OVERVIEW]COINTELPRO was an FBI counterintelligence program that targeted domestic groups, political movements, and organizations. It is documented through FBI Vault records and later criticism from Congress and the public.
COINTELPRO, short for Counterintelligence Program, was a series of FBI operations used to monitor, infiltrate, disrupt, and influence domestic groups. The FBI Vault includes COINTELPRO files involving different categories, including New Left groups, Puerto Rican groups, white hate groups, Black extremist files, and espionage programs.
The FBI’s own archived description states that COINTELPRO began in 1956 and expanded in the 1960s to include additional domestic groups. It also notes that all COINTELPRO operations ended in 1971 and that the program was later criticized for abridging First Amendment rights.
1956 — COINTELPRO begins.
1960s — The program expands to additional domestic groups.
1971 — COINTELPRO operations end.
After 1971 — The program becomes a major example in debates about surveillance, civil liberties, and government overreach.
The FBI monitored and infiltrated political groups.
The program attempted to disrupt targeted organizations.
Some activities interfered with lawful political speech and association.
The full ethical and legal impact remains debated, but criticism of the program is well documented.
The FBI Vault contains COINTELPRO records.
The FBI’s own archive describes the program and lists multiple COINTELPRO categories.
The FBI archive notes later criticism of the program for First Amendment concerns and other reasons.
FBI Vault — COINTELPRO
FBI Vault — COINTELPRO Black Extremist files
FBI Vault — COINTELPRO New Left files
Congressional and historical analysis