Final answer:
During the tenure of J. Edgar Hoover as the director of the FBI in 1947, the agency had free rein to conduct covert investigations and detain individuals deemed national risks.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the tenure of J. Edgar Hoover as the director of the FBI in 1947, the agency had free rein to covertly investigate and detain anyone he suspected of being a national risk.
This meant that Hoover had the power to conduct secret investigations and detain individuals without public knowledge or legal oversight.
It is important to note that the FBI's actions during that time were controversial and have been widely criticized for overstepping their authority.