Authors: Clayborne Carson
Name and Address
[BUREAU DELETION]
June 20, 1980
Honorable William J. Hughes
House of Representatives
Washington, D. C. 20515
Dear Congressman Hughes:
This is to acknowledge receipt of your communication dated May 29, 1980, with its enclosure on behalf of your constituents.
For your information, the complaint regarding Al-Hajji [
sic
] Malik Shabazz (Malcolm X) is being furnished to the Civil Rights Division (CRD), U. S. Department of Justice (USDJ).
A review of records of the FBI and CRD, USDJ, fails to reveal any information that the FBI has investigated, or been requested to investigate, the assassination of Al-Hajji [
sic
] Malik Shabazz (Malcolm X).
A copy of your communication and its enclosure have been furnished to the CRD, USDJ, for its review as to whether any Federal investigation is warranted.
If you have any further questions regarding this matter, you may wish to write directly to the Assistant Attorney General, CRD, USDJ, Washington, D. C. 20530.
Sincerely yours,
(signed)
Oliver B. Revell
Assistant Director
Criminal Investigative Division
Editor's note
Technical surveillance was installed in the residence of Malcolm X at 23-11 97th Street, East Elmhurst, Queens, New York, at 4:00
P.M
. on June 3, 1964, for a period of four months The following selections from the electronic surveillance logs in the month of June highlight in particular the causes, and the ramifications, of the rift between Elijah Muhammad and Malcolm X
.
Day: | Thursday |
Date: | 6-4-64 |
Employee's Name: [BUREAU DELETION] b7C
Activity Recorded:
Time: | A.M. |
IC/OG: | OG |
. . . tells MALCOLM that “by the way” [BUREAU DELETION] contacted a paper [BUREAU DELETION] “and he told them about itâ” and that “they” told him “we don't print no scandals.” MALCOLM interrupts to ask if this is “a white newspaper.” [BUREAU DELETION] replies affirmatively and asks if
there are any Negro newspapers “there.” MALCOLM mutters something (not completely intelligible) about “a Negro newspaper,” but he tells [BUREAU DELETION] “Everybody's afraid of it.” [BUREAU DELETION] then indicates that [BUREAU DELETION] they don't print scandals “like that” because “these type of things” sometime involve long lawsuits. MALCOLM confirms that “that's what it involves” and tells [BUREAU DELETION] “Nobody can bring this out but those sisters themselves.” [BUREAU DELETION] “Isn't that horrible” and MALCOLM agrees it is. . . .
[BUREAU DELETION]
[BUREAU DELETION] that he gave “the whole story” to the
Amsterdam News
and that none of it came out. [BUREAU DELETION] incredulous at first but then says that maybe it's just as well “at this pointâuntil we can plan the right attack.” MALCOLM agrees but comments that “it makes you wonder what you're up against.” . . . tells MALCOLM that [BUREAU DELETION] suggested that she contact “that hush-hush magazine . . , and those kind of magazines” and let “them” bring “it” out. MALCOLM says he wishes [BUREAU DELETION] had not even let [BUREAU DELETION] know that he (MALCOLM) was involved. [BUREAU DELETION] didn't mention MALCOLM by name; [BUREAU DELETION] “a Muslim Minister.” MALCOLM indicates he thinks [BUREAU DELETION] could tell it was him from that. . . .
[BUREAU DELETION] inquiring about how MALCOLM is, etc. MALCOLM says he has a combination of problems that he has to get solved and that he has to get them solved immediately; and that it looks as though he is going to have to solve them himself. MALCOLM indicates they are not financial problems.
[BUREAU DELETION] asks MALCOLM to let her tell him something else “this person” [BUREAU DELETION] told her that “from every angle it seems that theyâthey have a higher protection than just themselves . . . Now, he told me this.” [BUREAU DELETION] what he meant and that “he” said, “Well, you know no one could get that much protection onâand
being black in America, andâallâall around the country.” MALCOLM says that is true but that he is going to break through itâ”I know how to do it. . . . With Allah's help I'll do it. . . .”
Time: | A.M. |
IC/OG: | OG |
. . . M said he spoke to [BUREAU DELETION] and he told her “he” had [BUREAU DELETION] and others on the East Coast trying to kill him (Malcolm) because “he” wants me out of the way before “this comes out.” M stated that “he” was being pressured by his children and that they were afraid that if this comes out the Muslims will leave “him” and follow me (M). M said that they feel with him out of the way the Muslims will have no place to go if this breaks and so they will stay with “him.” M said that they were misusing “brothers” in New York and that the brothers don't know what it's all about. He said “they” were pumping these brothers with poison and they were trying to get a shot at him (M). M [BUREAU DELETION] now that he has let them know how he is in danger they have disappointed him with their reaction. M said the only way to end this was to expose him. [BUREAU DELETION] M said he agreed and that he would not be surprised if “he” had already left the country. [BUREAU DELETION] M said that “this man” has so many followers whom he has misled, followers that M has gotten for him and that he can turn them against anyone. M said that as long as he has the public on his side no lawyer will take the case. [BUREAU DELETION] M said he told the whole story to the
Amsterdam News
but that they would not print it until one of the sisters will talk. M said the “Messenger” had [BUREAU DELETION] telling this to “The Fruit” in such a way that they think Malcolm is bad and is trying to say false things about the Messenger and that M should be killed for this. [BUREAU DELETION] M said that if he thought he could get out there he would but that he would be recognized as soon as he got on the plane. [BUREAU DELETION]
Day: | Sunday |
Date: | 6-7-64 |
Employee's Name: [BUREAU DELETION] b7C
Activity Recorded:
Time: | 3:25 |
IC/OG: | OG |
MALCOLM X to Unwoman asking her to tell [BUREAU DELETION] about the MESSENGER'S escapades with his secretaries and how the MESSENGER made them all pregnant. MALCOLM says that [BUREAU DELETION] must be told that the NOI is factionalized and that both factions will commit murders on each other unless the truth is publicized about the MESSENGER'S bad deeds. MALCOLM says he is not fooling or speaking for effect when he says that bloodshed will take place as “it almost happened yesterday in New York when those who were in the Mosque came up to the corner where he had a meeting going on and absolutely tried to start some trouble.” MALCOLM continued “The only thing that saved us and stopped trouble from starting was that one of my brothers went to the trunk of his car and got a shotgun out and chased away the black Muslims.” MALCOLM says that if any violence takes place it will mean [BUREAU DELETION] and [BUREAU DELETION] are trying to “create a situation of bloodshed so that I (MALCOLM X) will get caught up in it.” Unwoman asks “You mean the MESSENGER is that ruthless?” MALCOLM answers “that any man who will go to bed with his brother's daughter and then turn and make five other women pregnant and then accuse all these women of committing adultery is a ruthless man.” MALCOLM says that the only reason the MESSENGER wants him dead is that he, MALCOLM, is the only one who can make the girls the MESSENGER has violated tell the truth about the MESSENGER. MALCOLM tells Unwoman to tell all [BUREAU DELETION] will be interested in knowing that the MESSENGER is now living in Phoenix, Ariz, with two teenage
girls, [BUREAU DELETION], MALCOLM says that both these teenage girls are natives of California, and have lived at Los Angeles [BUREAU DELETION], MALCOLM says that if the two sisters [BUREAU DELETION] are now in Los Angeles [BUREAU DELETION] and that if these two sisters do not tell their story to the public within the next twenty-four hours, there will be bloodshed all over this country. MALCOLM continues “what I just said I really mean, [BUREAU DELETION] there will be bloodshed and murder all over this country.” MALCOLM says that the true story on the evil ways of the MESSENGER are known by many newspapers but that they will not print the story realizing that they (the newspapers) can hold it like a whip over the heads of the Black Muslim movement and keep it from being effective in any way. MALCOLM says that every day he stays alive causes worry to the MESSENGER and that the MESSENGER has given orders to sincere, but ignorant, Muslims to get MALCOLM X. MALCOLM says he is not afraid. MALCOLM tells [BUREAU DELETION] to also call [BUREAU DELETION] and tell [BUREAU DELETION] (MALCOLM spells name) was the second one the MESSENGER made pregnant and [BUREAU DELETION] and that the MESSENGER made her pregnant and then accused her of adultery and put her out of the Mosque. MALCOLM says that [BUREAU DELETION] should also know that [BUREAU DELETION] (name spelled out by MALCOLM X) [BUREAU DELETION] will make the calls that MALCOLM has asked her to make.
Time: | 4:02 |
IC/OG: | IC |
Unwoman to MALCOLM X. MALCOLM says the split in the NOI has brought about nothing but negative results. He says “every time I think of how those niggers threw me out of the NOI, I get mad.” He continues “that it is dangerous to have the Muslims controlled by criminals of the ilk of [BUREAU DELETION] and the like.” He says there must be some way we can
salvage the Black Muslim movement before it is too late. Un-woman says she is sure MALCOLM can save the Muslims from the clutches of the MESSENGER. He says he feels he can save the Muslims if he can lift the cloud of the MESSENGER'S misdeeds from them by exposing the MESSENGER to the public. MALCOLM says that the FBI and the local police department do not want public exposure of the MESSENGER'S sexual escapades as the (FBI and PD) would lose the whip they use to control the Black Muslims. MALCOLM says that the MESSENGER'S fear of exposure by law enforcement agencies keeps the MESSENGER from leading the Black Muslims to their full potential. Unwoman says that if MALCOLM has faith in Allah all will go well with his cause.
Time: | 5:46 |
IC/OG: | OG |
MALCOLM X to [BUREAU DELETION] at Los Angeles, Calif., [BUREAU DELETION] MALCOLM asks “When did you get there and did you drive?” [BUREAU DELETION] MALCOLM says that she should be careful who she talks to as the MESSENGER might have a tap on her telephone. He says he believes that MESSENGER has a tap on [BUREAU DELETION] telephones. [BUREAU DELETION] tells the MESSENGER everything so she does not see why he should tap her telephone. MALCOLM asks if [BUREAU DELETION] accomplished anything in Phoenix? [BUREAU DELETION] would feel better if they had some legal backing to the allegations they were making. MALCOLM says that the truth of the statements is all the legal backing that they need and that they should not worry about the MESSENGER suing them. MALCOLM says that the best thing [BUREAU DELETION] could do would be to tell their story [BUREAU DELETION] then gets on the telephone and MALCOLM tells him that he had better get on the ball [BUREAU DELETION]. MALCOLM says that he has never tolerated failure in the past and will certainly not accept anything [BUREAU DELETION] less than [BUREAU DELETION]
complete disclosure of the sins of the MESSENGER. [BUREAU DELETION] MALCOLM says “if you know what's good for you, you will succeed.” MALCOLM tells [BUREAU DELETION] MALCOLM tells [BUREAU DELETION] to keep working [BUREAU DELETION] and to do whatever else is necessary. [BUREAU DELETION]