Rachel Maddow Presents
Episode: Ultra - S2, Ep. 5: Coming Home
Release Date: November 26, 2024

Introduction

"Ultra - S2, Ep. 5: Coming Home" delves deep into the dark corridors of American post-World War II history, unraveling the intricate web woven by fascist ideologues and their unexpected connections with mainstream American politics. Hosted by historian and author Stephen Ross, alongside journalist Anthony Mostrom, this episode navigates the legacy of Francis Parker Yockey, a prominent American fascist, and his influence on the far-right movements that intersected with Senator Joe McCarthy's notorious anti-Communist crusade.

The Discovery of "Imperium"

The episode opens with Anthony Mostrom recounting his personal discovery of a controversial book:

Anthony Mostrom [01:09]: "Well, in my 20s, I happened to walk into a used bookshop up in Van Nuys, California, where I was living."

Both Mostrom and historian John Jackson describe stumbling upon a book titled Imperium in used bookstores. This book, published in the late 1940s under the pseudonym Ulick Varange, is revealed to be a vehemently anti-Semitic and pro-fascist manifesto authored by Francis Parker Yockey.

John Jackson [02:06]: "I found a copy in the early 90s in a used bookstore... Imperial was very much an anti-Semitic book. It's very much a hate book."

Francis Parker Yockey: A Fugitive Fascist

Imperium serves as Yockey's ideological blueprint, advocating for a global fascist empire and the eradication of Jewish influence. Published under a pseudonym due to Yockey's fugitive status—he was on the run from U.S. authorities for his connections with Nazi sympathizers and sabotage—Yockey's work became a cornerstone for post-war American fascist ideology.

Stephen Ross [03:12]: "Francis Parker Yockey, by the late 1940s, had been wanted for questioning about his relationship with a Nazi saboteur who was executed in the United States during World War II."

Yockey's involvement extended to infiltrating the Nazi war crimes trials in Germany, where he acted as a mole, aiding defendants and attempting to recruit Nazi veterans for a resurgence against Allied forces. His manifesto, Imperium, not only denied the Holocaust but also proposed that Russia, not Germany, was admired for its antisemitic policies—a disturbing reimagining of alliances.

Stephen Ross [07:10]: "In Imperium and also in his later writings, what set Yockey's Nazi claptrap apart was that while he was harshly critical of the US, Yockey said he admired Russia instead."

Impact on the American Far Right

Yockey's Imperium transcended its initial publication, becoming a seminal text for American Holocaust deniers and far-right extremists. His assertions laid the groundwork for enduring anti-Semitic and fascist narratives within certain American circles, effectively replacing figures like Mein Kampf in these ideologies.

Anthony Mostrom [06:19]: "For a lot of people on the far right worldwide nowadays, the Bible is Imperium, replacing Mein Kampf."

The episode highlights how Yockey's unfounded claims and fabricated history fostered dangerous myths that continue to influence extremist groups today.

Interaction with Senator Joe McCarthy

As Yockey sought to propagate his fascist beliefs, an unexpected alliance emerged with Senator Joe McCarthy, the face of the Red Scare and anti-Communist hysteria in the early 1950s. McCarthy, driven by his own brand of demagoguery, began to intersect with far-right figures like Yockey, blurring the lines between legitimate political discourse and extremist propaganda.

Stephen Ross [31:52]: "Senator McCarthy was not only building an increasingly large, increasingly fervent mainstream public following, he was also becoming a hero, sort of a North Star, to figures on the edge like Gerald L.K. Smith."

The Yorkville Incident

A pivotal moment in this intersection occurred during a multi-day convention in Yorkville, New York, where Gerald L.K. Smith, a prominent anti-Semitic leader, hosted extremist speakers. Yockey, under his pseudonym, was slated to speak alongside McCarthy. However, journalistic investigations exposed the presence of Holocaust deniers and Nazi sympathizers among the speakers, leading to McCarthy's abrupt withdrawal from the event.

Stephen Ross [52:46]: "Senator Joe McCarthy narrowly avoided reading the words that had been written for him by the fugitive godfather of American Holocaust denial."

The episode underscores how media scrutiny played a crucial role in preventing McCarthy from publicly aligning himself with openly fascist figures, thereby maintaining his facade while exposing the dangerous undercurrents within his movement.

McCarthy’s Rise and Dark Tactics

As McCarthy's influence soared, so did his willingness to engage in ruthless tactics to silence opposition. The collaboration—or attempted collaboration—with Yockey exemplified McCarthy's entanglement with extremist ideologies. His tenure was marked by fear-mongering, false accusations, and personal vendettas against journalists and fellow senators who dared to challenge his claims.

Rudolf Aschenauer [15:24]: "He attracts all kinds of far right people to his group."

Notably, McCarthy's association with Yockey and other far-right elements demonstrated a broader pattern of manipulating extremist resources to bolster his anti-Communist agenda, further destabilizing American political integrity.

Conclusion: Legacy and Lessons

"Coming Home" serves as a chilling reminder of how extremist ideologies can infiltrate and influence mainstream politics. The episode meticulously unpacks the legacy of Francis Parker Yockey and his interactions with figures like Joe McCarthy, illustrating the enduring dangers of demagoguery, misinformation, and unchecked power.

Stephen Ross [54:07]: "McCarthy's bullying, his total dislocation from the truth, his increasingly impassioned followers who trusted no one but him, his willingness to introduce threats and violence into American politics... tend to eventually reach the point of no return."

The narrative cautions against the seductive nature of authoritarian rhetoric and the ease with which extremist figures can co-opt political movements for nefarious purposes. It calls for vigilance in recognizing and combating the resurgence of such dangerous ideologies in contemporary society.

Notable Quotes

• John Jackson [02:32]: "It is the duty of the west to rule the world and that can only be accomplished through strong leadership. Democracy is a sham and the Jews are the great enemy and need to be dealt with."

• Francis Yockey [08:39]: "He wrote that the European Liberation Front was calling for the expulsion of all Jews and other parasitic aliens from the soil of Europe."

• Stephen Ross [07:10]: "According to Yockey, America's global influence was really just another way for the Jews to secretly control the world."

• Rudolf Aschenauer [15:24]: "He attracts all kinds of far right people to his group."

• Stephen Ross [54:07]: "McCarthy's bullying, his total dislocation from the truth, his increasingly impassioned followers who trusted no one but him, his willingness to introduce threats and violence into American politics, things like that tend to eventually reach the point of no return."

Final Thoughts

"Coming Home" is a profound exploration of the hidden alliances and ideological battles that have shaped American history. By shedding light on the intertwining paths of extremist figures and mainstream political powerhouses, Rachel Maddow Presents provides critical insights into the mechanisms of power, influence, and the enduring struggle against hate and misinformation.

Produced by Rachel Maddow and the MSNBC team, "Ultra" continues to uncover the shadows of history, ensuring that the lessons of the past inform the battles of the present.