Rachel Maddow Presents: Ultra - Season 2, Episode 2: The Mole

Release Date: November 26, 2024

Introduction

In the second episode of Season 2 of Rachel Maddow Presents: Ultra, host Rachel Maddow delves deep into a chilling chapter of early Cold War history. Titled "The Mole," this episode unpacks the terrifying emergence of the hydrogen bomb, the hypothetical cobalt bomb, and the shadowy figure of Francis Parker Yaqui—a man whose actions would have profound implications for global security.

The Dawn of the Hydrogen Bomb

The episode opens by transporting listeners back to a pivotal moment in American history: February 26, 1950. On that Sunday afternoon, a nationally broadcast radio roundtable on NBC shook the nation with its discussion on the looming threat of the hydrogen bomb.

News Anchor [02:48]: "What does the Hydrogen bomb mean? To answer these questions, one must first understand what the hydrogen bomb really is."

Four scientists, veterans of the Manhattan Project led by Robert Oppenheimer, convened to elucidate the catastrophic potential of this new weapon. They starkly contrasted it with the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, emphasizing that the hydrogen bomb could "wipe out not just whole portions of a city, but whole cities altogether" ([03:38] Historian).

The Cobalt Bomb: A Doomsday Scenario

During the broadcast, one scientist, Leo Szilard, introduced the harrowing concept of the cobalt bomb—a modification that could transform a single hydrogen bomb into a weapon capable of annihilating all life on Earth.

Leo Szilard [05:56]: "What I had in mind is it is very easy to rig an H bomb on purpose so that you should produce very dangerous radioactivity."

This revelation ignited nationwide panic. Newspapers the following day erupted with headlines like "H Bomb Death for All Feared" and "H bomb could be turned into world suicide weapon," reflecting the deep-seated fear surrounding nuclear annihilation ([07:34] Historian).

Francis Parker Yaqui: From Suspected Nazi Sympathizer to War Crimes Trials Saboteur

The narrative shifts focus to Francis Parker Yaqui, a 24-year-old U.S. Army private with unsettling ties to extremist right-wing movements. Yaqui's history is marred by associations with the American ultra right, including the Silver Shirts and the German American Bund. His extremist views and connections made him a person of interest for U.S. authorities, especially following the Nazi sabotage plot, Operation Pastorius.

Journalist [14:07]: "The FBI in the early 1950s was looking for Francis Yockey for the worst possible reason."

Despite being flagged as a Nazi sympathizer, Yaqui managed to infiltrate the very system tasked with prosecuting war criminals. In 1946, he secured a position as a U.S. Government lawyer at the Nuremberg War Crimes Trials. This osmosis of a known extremist into a pivotal role within the trials itself set the stage for betrayal.

Sabotaging Justice: Yaqui's Double Agent Role

Once inside the Nuremberg Trials, Yaqui exploited his position to aid Nazi defendants. His responsibilities included reviewing cases and handling sensitive documents, which he illicitly shared with the very individuals he was supposed to prosecute.

Journalist [37:32]: "He stole documents and information and secretly gave them to the defendants and their lawyers."

As suspicions grew, U.S. Army counterintelligence launched a raid to apprehend him. However, Yaqui fled Germany, leaving behind his wife and two daughters, and embarked on a years-long global manhunt suspected of distributing cobalt bomb plans on the black market.

The Aftermath and Broader Implications

Yaqui's actions had far-reaching consequences, intertwining with powerful figures in American politics and exacerbating fears of rogue elements within the government. His ability to maneuver within high-stakes environments underscored vulnerabilities in post-war American security apparatuses.

The episode poignantly illustrates how Yaqui's personal vendetta and extremist ideology threatened not only the integrity of the Nuremberg Trials but also global stability during a precarious period of geopolitical tension.

Conclusion

"The Mole" serves as a sobering reminder of the intricate interplay between individual agency and systemic vulnerability. Francis Parker Yaqui's story is a testament to the enduring challenges of safeguarding justice against internal subversion. As Rachel Maddow unpacks these historical events, listeners gain a nuanced understanding of the fragility of peace and the ever-present specter of ideological extremism.

Notable Quotes:

• Leo Szilard [05:56]: "What I had in mind is it is very easy to rig an H bomb on purpose so that you should produce very dangerous radioactivity."

• Historian [07:34]: "That very, very deep freakout was about something that didn't exist. It was about something that was just an idea, something between a hypothetical and a maybe."

• Journalist [37:32]: "He stole documents and information and secretly gave them to the defendants and their lawyers."

This detailed summary captures the essence of Episode 2, "The Mole," weaving together historical events, personal narratives, and the underlying themes of secrecy, betrayal, and the quest for power. For those unfamiliar with the episode, it provides a comprehensive overview while maintaining an engaging and informative flow.