McCarthy served as chairman of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigation, where he was given the power to question essentially anyone he pleased about potential communist relations. In 1953 alone, McCarthy held 143 days of hearings investigating people with alleged communist ties. McCarthy used questionable methods to gain classified information, not only about government officials, but authors, musicians, actors—anyone with influence.

      Hundreds of people testified before McCarthy that they were not, and had never been, associated with the communist party. If anyone chose to plead the 5th amendment and not answer his questions, they would essentially be rendered unemployable. Figures who opposed McCarthy would be painted as communist sympathizers, so many decided against speaking out. This left McCarthy a clear path to gain power and support for his antics.