President Richard Nixon’s Downfall Watergate President Richard Nixon’s Downfall

Election of 1972 Nixon wanted landslide victory in ‘72 Those loyal to Nixon committed illegal actions Nixon tried to hide illegal activities

Battling Political Enemies Nixon: suspicious and secretive White House operate as if surrounded by political enemies. Creation of an “enemies list,” list of prominent people seen as unsympathetic to the administration. Someone in the National Security Council appeared to have leaked secret government information to the New York Times Nixon ordered wiretaps be installed on telephones of some news reporters and members of his staff.

Leaks to the Press: The “Plumbers” “Leaks” (of information) to the press continued Former Defense Department official Daniel Ellsberg’s leak of the Pentagon Papers - government study that revealed widespread deception about the situation in Vietnam. Nixon organized special White House unit, nicknamed the “Plumbers” Plumbers - stop government leaks. September 1971, Plumbers broke into the office of Ellsberg’s psychiatrist Hoped to punish Ellsberg by disclosing damaging personal information about him.

Nixon’s Reelection Campaign Campaign Funding Committee to Reelect the President (C.R.E.E.P.) - John Mitchell Aimed to collect as much campaign $$$ as possible before a new law required contributions to be reported. $$$ C.R.E.E.P. collected intended to fund: routine campaign activities secret unethical actions

The Watergate Break-In March 1972, C.R.E.E.P. plans to wiretap phones at Democratic National Committee Headquarters at the Watergate complex in Washington, D.C. Led by E. Howard Hunt and G. Gordon Liddy. First attempt failed. Second attempt June 17, 1972, 5 arrested. $$$ they were paid with traced directly to Nixon’s reelection campaign - linking the break-in to the campaign. Break-in and cover-up became known as the Watergate scandal.

The Watergate Break-in and Cover up Nixon was not involved in break-in. Nixon WAS involved in cover up. Nixon illegally authorized CIA to persuade the FBI to stop investigation of the break in -saying the matter involved “national security.” Nixon’s advisors launched scheme to: bribe Watergate defendants into silence coach defendants on how to lie in court. Incident barely noticed by the public. Nixon won 1972 election by a landslide.

The Scandal Unfolds The Watergate Trial All the defendants either pled guilty or were found guilty. Judge John J. Sirica not convinced full story told. Sentenced burglars to long prison terms - suggesting terms could be reduced if they cooperated with upcoming Senate hearings on Watergate.

The Scandal Unfolds Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities (Sen. Sam Ervin - (D)NC Aided by: Woodward and Bernstein (journalists) testimony of one of the Watergate burglars (James McCord), Millions of Americans watched the Senate hearings unfold on national television. Nixon attempted to protect himself: forced 2 top aides to resign Proclaimed he would take final responsibility for the mistakes of others.

Secret Taping System A Secret Taping System Former presidential assistant Alexander Butterfield revealed existence of a secret taping system in the President’s office. Taping system set up to provide a historical record of Nixon’s presidency. Would be used to show whether or not Nixon had been involved in the Watergate cover up.

The “Saturday Night Massacre” May 1973 - Nixon appointed a special prosecutor for the Watergate affair. Special prosecutor works for the Justice Department and conducts investigations into claims of wrongdoing by government officials. Watergate special prosecutor, Archibald Cox, insisted Nixon release the White House tapes. Nixon fired him on Saturday, October 20, 1973 Began series of resignations and firings known as the “Saturday Night Massacre.”

Administration in Jeopardy Problems in the Nixon Administration, 1973–1974 Nixon’s public approval rating plummeted after his firing of Cox. Cox’s replacement, Leon Jaworski, also requested Nixon turn over the tapes Nixon turned over edited transcripts instead. – missing 18 ½ minutes Public feelings of anger and disillusionment after reading transcripts

Resignation of VP Spiro Agnew Vice President Spiro Agnew - accused of evading income taxes and taking bribes Resigned in early October 1973. Completely unrelated to the Watergate Scandal. Successor - Gerald Ford confirmed two months later.

Impeachment Hearings and Nixon’s Resignation After Saturday Night Massacre, Congress began the process of determining if they should impeach the President. Summer of 1974 - House Judiciary Committee voted to impeach Nixon on numerous charges. Conviction, and removal from office, seemed likely.

The final stages: Release of the White House tapes On August 5, 1974, Nixon released the White House tapes, with an 18 1/2 minute gap. Tapes revealed Nixon’s involvement in the Watergate cover up. On August 9, 1974, Nixon became the first President ever to resign. Gerald Ford was sworn in as the new President. 1st person to become President that was never elected as President or VP

Watergate Cartoons