Herblock likened the actions of the House Un-American Activities Committee to a witch hunt, voicing skepticism about those who “set themselves up to decide what was un-American.” Texas Democrat Martin Dies led the group’s probes into alleged communist activities until resigning his seat in 1945. New Jersey Senator J. Parnell Thomas then spearheaded the committee’s investigations of celebrities and artists. Critics charged that the group’s work, which damaged reputations, also violated First Amendment rights.