Edgar Hoover 28 ‘Mr Hoover’s capitulation to his personal pique was irresponsible and clearly contrary to the personal interests of Presidents Kennedy and Johnson, constitutional government and the nation.’ Nicholas Katzenbach, former Attorney General, 1976 Instead of sunning himself in Miami Beach, his usual retreat over the holiday, Edgar spent New Year’s 1963 by himself, holed up in a New York hotel, recovering from prostate surgery. He was lonely and feeling his age, and suddenly his age mattered. In two years’ time he would be seventy, the mandatory retirement age for federal officials. Only an Executive Order, signed by the President, could prolong his reign at the FBI. And in two years’ time, it seemed likely, John Kennedy would be secure in his second term. Unless something unexpected happened, Edgar’s insurance policies were about to run out. In February, Edgar gave a charade of an interview. ‘My relations with Robert Kennedy,’ he said solemnly, ‘have always been pleasant and cordial, as well as my meetings with the President.’ Was there any truth to rumors that he might retire?
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