J Edgar Hoover used the political views of government workers against them.
Hoover, who was the head of the FBI, greatly feared communist influence with the American government. This is why Hoover used his power to spy on workers in the government to learn more about their political beliefs.
Along with this, Hoover encouraged people like Joe McCarthy to pursue suspected communists by putting them on trial in front of the House Un-American Activities Committee. This congressional body called in people from all walks of life to question their political views and ties to the Soviet Union. All of the aforementioned actions helped to increase the paranoia during the Second Red Scare.
