Blood Feud 1983

Bobby and JFK rise in Washington

In the mid-1950s, Robert F. Kennedy begins to make a name for himself in Washington, D.C., while his older brother John F. Kennedy emerges as a prominent U.S. senator from Massachusetts. Both brothers start to shape their early political reputations and influence. Their rising profiles set the stage for later power struggles in national politics.

Hoffa rises to power in the Teamsters

Jimmy Hoffa becomes a force within the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, dedicating himself to expanding union influence. His ambition places him on a collision course with political figures who want to curb corruption and ties to organized crime. The Teamsters' growing power becomes a central element of the era's labor politics.

First meeting: Hoffa tries to ingratiate himself

When Hoffa and Bobby Kennedy first meet, Hoffa attempts to ingratiate himself with the younger Kennedy. Bobby is already probing corruption in labor unions and wary of Hoffa's connections to organized crime. The suspicious dynamic foreshadows a long, tense rivalry between them.

Promise to join Senate committee on crime

Bobby Kennedy presses his brother to participate in a Senate committee investigating crime syndicates and their illegal ties to unions and pension funds. The pledge marks the start of a heated political feud with Hoffa. Tension builds as investigations loom over both men.

Hoover resists focusing on organized crime

FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover is reluctant to acknowledge organized crime as a serious problem, resisting demands to concentrate on syndicate networks. This skepticism strains Kennedy's anti-crime initiatives. The nation's stance on organized crime remains contested as events unfold.

Kennedy elected; Bobby becomes Attorney General

After JFK is elected President in 1960, he appoints Bobby Kennedy as Attorney General. Bobby steps into a pivotal role at the heart of federal anti-crime efforts. The appointment intensifies the clash with Hoffa as investigations heat up.

Hoffa's power grows; Teamsters presidency and tension

Hoffa's influence within the Teamsters grows as he rises to the presidency, wielding formidable power in the labor movement. He openly taunts Bobby Kennedy during hearings and in the press, challenging the younger brother's authority. The Kennedy–Hoffa feud drives much of the era's labor-politics friction.

Kennedy and Wharton pursue Hoffa; Hoffa acquitted

Kennedy, with his right-hand man Phil Wharton, pursues Hoffa through hearings and investigations that yield multiple acquittals. Hoffa mocks the scrutiny and asserts his dominance over labor and politics. The ongoing probes keep Hoffa in the public eye and intensify the animosity with the Kennedy family.

JFK assassination shocks the nation

The assassination of John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963, horrifies many Americans. Hoffa acts as if nothing matters beyond union business, while Lyndon B. Johnson surprises and disappoints Hoffa by retaining Bobby Kennedy as Attorney General. The tragedy triggers a dramatic shift in the national political landscape.

LBJ becomes President; Bobby remains AG

Lyndon B. Johnson becomes President and retains Bobby Kennedy as Attorney General, signaling continuity in anti-crime efforts amid the new administration. Hoffa's paranoia about informers grows under Johnson's presidency. The power dynamics among Kennedy, Hoffa, and the administration remain tense.

Convictions hit Hoffa; begins prison term

Hoffa is convicted in 1964 of attempting to bribe a grand juror and later of misusing a union pension fund. Appeals delay incarceration for several years. He begins his prison sentence in 1967, marking a significant setback for his control over the Teamsters.

Bobby becomes U.S. Senator from New York

Bobby Kennedy leaves the Johnson administration to become a U.S. Senator representing New York, broadening his political platform beyond the Attorney General role. The shift redefines his influence in national politics and keeps him in the orbit of major national issues. Hoffa's power and the Kennedy–Hoffa feud continue to cast a long shadow over labor and crime investigations.

Robert F. Kennedy assassinated

Robert F. Kennedy is assassinated in Los Angeles in 1968, ending a volatile chapter of the Kennedy–Hoffa feud. Hoffa's personal animus with Kennedy intensifies as the political climate shifts. The tragedy reverberates through national politics and union power.

Hoffa's early release after Nixon deal

Hoffa receives an early release in 1971 following an arrangement with President Richard Nixon, though he cannot regain the Teamsters presidency after his release. He attempts to reassert influence, but the old power balance has shifted. The episode ends with unresolved questions about Hoffa's legacy.