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Today in History: Army attorney confronts McCarthy over decency

6/9/2026

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Summary

Story summary

During the televised Army-McCarthy hearings, Army counsel Joseph N. Welch confronted Senator Joseph McCarthy, demanding, “At long last, have you no sense of decency?” The clash followed the Army’s accusation that McCarthy pressured it to favor aide G. David Schine, and Welch’s rebuke became the turning point that crippled McCarthy’s anti-communist campaign.

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Story summary

During the televised Army-McCarthy hearings, Army counsel Joseph N. Welch confronted Senator Joseph McCarthy, demanding, “At long last, have you no sense of decency?” The clash followed the Army’s accusation that McCarthy pressured it to favor aide G. David Schine, and Welch’s rebuke became the turning point that crippled McCarthy’s anti-communist campaign.