Robert Rice Reynolds
Robert Rice Reynolds (
18 June 1884 -
13 February 1963) was a
Democratic U.S. senator from the state of
North Carolina between
1932 and
1945.
Originally from the town of Asheville, Reynolds was in close contact and sympathy with
William Dudley Pelley's pro-Nazi
Silver Legion of America.
As Senator, Reynolds sympathized with the German Nazi government and fought for the America First organization, a group that wanted the United States to avoid entering the war against Germany. His opinion on the topic is evidenced by elements like this excerpt of a Senate floor speech: "The dictators are doing what is best for their people. I say it is high time we found out how they are doing it, and why they are progressing so rapidly. Hitler has solved the unemployment problem. There is no unemployment in Italy. Hitler and Mussolini have a date with destiny. It is foolish to oppose them, so why not play ball with them?"
In 1938, Reynolds became chairman of the Senate Committee of Military Affairs.
In April 1940, Reynolds provided a Nazi agent,
Simon Emil Koedel, with detailed confidential information about France's ports. He was not charged with treason.
By 1944, the Democratic Party had had enough of Reynolds and chose former governor
Clyde R. Hoey to seek Reynolds' seat in the primary. Hoey won the primary and went on to win the general election in a landslide victory over a Republican opponent.
