A Testimony to the American Dream: The Infamous Battle Between John Lennon, Richard Nixon, and the FBI

Most people believed John Lennon’s political activism to be peaceful, justifiable, and ultimately, human. However, when any one person has that much influence and public credibility, they will surely draw attention from unwanted spectators. Regardless of his mission or his beliefs, Lennon’s sheer public influence became an alarming power due to his ability to allegedly create radical beliefs and events. That being so, in 1972 the FBI had a tight eye on both Lennon and Yoko Ono.

Leon Wildes, Lennon’s attorney, wrote a book about his immigration battle spurred by the Nixon administration and The FBI. In short, Lennon faced deportation for four years due to his radical political ties and outspoken views against the Vietnam War. The legal battle became one of the most infamous cases in immigration law, as it was bitterly contested and included the world’s biggest pop culture icon.

President Nixon and John Lennon’s Battle

It’s no surprise that Richard Nixon and John Lennon butted heads. After all, one could argue that Lennon—in some circles—held just as much political influence as Nixon, as Lennon’s beliefs completely juxtaposed the former president’s. Given this imbalance of public appeal, Nixon made it his mission to silence Lennon—and possibly deport him. The Nixon administration was able to charge Lennon with drug possession in the UK and as a consequence, the government consistently prosecuted and surveyed Lennon for years to come.

Between 1972 and 1976, the US Government and the FBI tied Lennon to numerous treason-oriented activities. First off, the government believed Lennon planned to attend the RNC in 1972 to incite a riot and persuade people to vote against Nixon in his attempt to win his second term. Secondly, one of the more major accusations was Lennon’s personal ties to John Sinclair’s planned violent acts against the CIA.

Lennon did advocate for Sinclair and his beliefs, as he wrote a song called “John Sinclair” and attended various demonstrations supporting his release from prison due to drug trafficking. However, what Lennon did not know was that Sinclair was responsible for, “obtaining guns and dynamite, blowing up the CIA office in Ann Arbor and laying plans for guerrilla actions in northern Michigan,” Wildes’ book states.

All of these alleged activities resulted in Lennon being bugged and constantly surveyed in New York City. Wilde wrote, “Alleged phone repairmen came to ‘check’ the Lennons’ telephone but left promptly when ID was requested.” The book also stated, “Two men, stationed just across Bank Street, seemed to be fixing a bike interminably” and “When John and Yoko got into an automobile, the same two men appeared in a car behind them.” Needless to say, the government had it hot for John Lennon.

Lennon’s Case Finally Closed

In 1976, John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s court case and constant surveillance came to an end. Lennon received permanent residency in the US due to a loophole in his UK drug conviction. Yoko Ono received the same verdict shortly before. Both verdicts came two years after Nixon left The White House due to the Water Gate Scandal.

Lastly, the closing portion of Wildes’ book attests to Lennon’s unwavering patriotism and belief in democracy and the First Amendment. As Wildes wrote, “Lennon’s four-year battle to remain in our country is testimony to his faith in this American dream.”

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