Von Neumann's venture into United States politics

 In April of 1954, the Atomic Energy Commission Revoked Robert Oppenheimer's Security clearance following an investigation of allegations that Oppenheimer had ties to Communism. During the security hearing, Von Neumann testified in support of Oppenheimer. This article, published in October of 1954, shows that Von Neumann continued to support Oppenheimer following the April hearing, which the public perceived to be politically motivated rather than purely investigative, despite potential political pushback concerning his appointment to the Atomic Energy Commission. 

Even though this article does not directly comment on Von Neumann's support of Oppenheimer, it does suggest a continued public interest in the personal, political, and professional lives of scientific figures like Von Neumann and Oppenheimer in the political world of United States Politics during the Era of McCarthyism. 

The article talks about Eisenhower naming von Neumann to the AEC. They talk about him having worked on the hydrogen bomb. It mentions von Neumann and Oppenheimer being longtime friends and associates. They talk about von Neumann defending Oppenheimer when they stripped his security clearance. They mention that von Neumann knew about Oppenheimer’s opposition to the program that built the atomic bomb and that they knew each other’s views on the project. He said that everyone in the program cooperated with the President’s decision to build the bomb.

This declassified document talks about von Neumann getting ready to leave his position at the Institute for Advanced Study to join the Atomic Energy Commission. They talk about him having been an advisor for years before now joining the AEC. They also mention him being the Chairman of the Nuclear Weapons Panel. A member of the AEC Lewis L. Strauss recommends that they announce von Neumann’s appointment.

This article indicates that Von Neumann's continued support of Robert Oppenheimer was a possible point of contention during the hearing for his (Von Neumann's) appointment to the Atomic Energy Commission. It also indicates that the political ramifications of the Oppenheimer hearing continued to affect other scientists.

Von Neumann was not only questioned about his qualifications to fill the role of Commissioner of the Atomic Energy Commission but also his personal and political connections.  This article illustrates that scientists like Von Neumann could not only be concerned with their scientific qualifications and studies but also had to navigate the complexity of McCarthyist politics in the mid-1950s. 

The article talks about the Fermi prize named after Dr. Enrico Fermi, is a cash prize of $50,000 is given to atomic scientists once a year. It talks about how von Neumann and and his former coworker Oppenheimer were both recipients of the award.