Robert Kennedy Quote by Tim Weiner
““Robert Kennedy’s Justice Department, it is said, would arrest mobsters for spitting on the sidewalk,” he said. The FBI would use “the same aggressive arrest and detention tactics in the war on terror. Let the terrorists among us be warned: If you overstay your visa—even by one day—we will arrest you. If you violate a local law, you will be put in jail and kept in custody as long as possible. We will use every available statute. We will seek every prosecutorial advantage. We will use all our weapons.” The””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Remarks on Counterterrorism Policy, United States, 2002
The speaker warns that aggressive legal tactics used against mobsters will be applied to terrorism, threatening severe penalties for minor infractions.
In simple terms: Aggressive law enforcement will be used against terrorism, even for small violations.
Key Takeaway
Expect strict enforcement of laws against perceived threats.
Themes
law enforcement
terrorism
civil liberties
government power
Mood
tense
authoritative
Type
political
warning
When to use this quote
- immigration enforcement
- border control
- counterterrorism operations
- civil rights advocacy
- legal defense
Key Concepts
detention
prosecution
statutory authority
policy
public safety
Questions to Reflect On
- How should societies balance security and individual rights?
- What safeguards can prevent abuse of broad legal powers?
A Different Perspective
May erode civil liberties and provoke backlash against overreach.
![“Theodore Sorensen wrote for [Robert Kennedy's 1968] announcement speech: “At stake is not simply the leadership of our party, and even our own country, it is our right to the moral leadership of this planet.” The sentence absolutely appalled all the younger Robert Kennedy advisers, who felt it…” quote by David Halberstam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f6e/david-halberstam-9032_communication_theodore-sorensen-wrote-for-robert-kenne_12566.jpg)
