</s>(The FBI shall) carry out the Presidential directive of September 6, 1939, as reaffirmed by Presidential directives of January 8, 1943, July 24, 1950 and December 15, 1953, designing the Federal Bureau of Investigation to take charge of investigative investigations to matters relating the investigation of the U.S. government's involvement in activities, and related matters (28 CFR 0.85 d.)). Given this charter and the history of the sometimes overpowering influence on the views of the late Director J. Edgar Hoover on his subordinates and on successive Attorneys General, it was understandable that a security investigation should be initiated into the possible influence of the Communist Party, U. S.A ., on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Two of King's close advisors, at the outset of the security matter, were reported to be Communist Party members by sources relied upon by the Bureau. The security investigation continued for almost six years until Dr. King's death. It verified, in our view, that one alleged Communist was a very influential advisor to Dr. Kings (and hence the Southern Christian Leadership Conference) on the strategy and tactics of King's leadership of the black civil rights movement of the early and mid-sixties. Another had no such weight although he seemed to be of use to King. But this very lengthy investigative concentration on King and on -140- 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

The documents detail FBI and federal intelligence concerns regarding Communist Party USA (CPUSA) influence over African American civil rights leaders, particularly Martin Luther King Jr., during 1963. They reference CPUSA efforts to exploit racial tensions for political gain, including alleged coordination with civil rights activists. A proposed SAC Letter (Special Agent in Charge directive) is discussed to intensify surveillance and counterintelligence operations against CPUSA members and their activities within the Negro community. The text mentions a planned November 1963 leadership meeting of CPUSA to strategize further engagement with racial unrest, suggesting ongoing efforts to manipulate civil rights movements. References to "assassination" appear in fragmented contexts, possibly linked to broader concerns about political violence but without explicit details. The documents emphasize the need for increased field investigations and coordination among intelligence agencies to counter perceived communist threats.  

Key People:  
- Martin Luther King Jr. (subject of alleged CPUSA influence)  
- W. C. Sullivan (recipient of memos, likely FBI official)  
- F. J. Baungardner (author/originator of memos)  
- Clyde Tolson (FBI associate, referenced in correspondence)  
- A. H. Bolmont (recipient of memos, possibly FBI official)  

Key Locations:  
- Washington, D.C. (implied as headquarters for intelligence operations)  
- Southern United States (contextual reference to civil rights activities)  

Key Events:  
- Proposed SAC Letter to intensify CPUSA surveillance and disruption efforts  
- November 1963 CPUSA leadership meeting to plan racial unrest exploitation  
- Discussions of CPUSA coordination with civil rights leaders, including King  
- References to potential assassination risks tied to political violence (fragmented mentions)  

Key Organizations:  
- Communist Party USA (CPUSA)  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- Domestic Intelligence Division (within FBI)  
- Counterintelligence Program (CIA/US intelligence operations)

MLK Declassified Files

80-ph-1591_sec_000_ser_138-part_4_of_5.pdf

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