Washington, D.C.
The FBI investigated witnesses who testified against former Chief Justice William Rehnquist during his two confirmation hearings, newly released files reveal. In 1971, when Richard Nixon nominated Rehnquist to the Supreme Court, and again in 1986, when Rehnquist was named chief justice, the FBI gave presidential aides a preview of the testimony of witnesses against him. One concern in 1986 was Rehnquist’s 10-year dependence on the sedative Placydil. Documents reveal that Rehnquist was hospitalized in 1981 to withdraw from the drug, and during his hospitalization doctors reported that he hallucinated, imagined CIA plots against him, and attempted to leave the hospital wearing only pajamas and a bathrobe. Rehnquist died in 2005, and the FBI released its file on him in response to requests under the Freedom of Information Act.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
October 13 editorial cartoonsCartoons Monday's political cartoons include Donald Trump's consolation prize, government workers during shutdown, and more
-
Can Gaza momentum help end the war in Ukraine?Today's Big Question Zelenskyy’s request for long-range Tomahawk missiles hints at ‘warming relations’ between Ukraine and US
-
The Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners being releasedThe Explainer Triumphant Donald Trump addresses the Israeli parliament as families on both sides of the Gaza war reunite with their loved ones
