President Ford’s Pardon of Richard M. Nixon: The Complete Story of the Pardon, the Press, and the Congress Jason Phillip Hartmann

WATERGATE There were five burglars who broke into the Democratic National Headquarters in the Watergate building on June 17, They were eventually linked the Committee to Reelect the President and to the highest members of the White House. There were five burglars who broke into the Democratic National Headquarters in the Watergate building on June 17, They were eventually linked the Committee to Reelect the President and to the highest members of the White House.

Resignation On August 8, 1974, Richard M. Nixon resigned on television. On August 8, 1974, Richard M. Nixon resigned on television. Gerald Ford became President of the United States. Gerald Ford became President of the United States.

Policy of Openness Ford came into office wanting to create a open exchange between the press and the White House. Ford came into office wanting to create a open exchange between the press and the White House. He planned to hold press conferences every three weeks. He planned to hold press conferences every three weeks. He moved his press briefings to the Grand Hallway of the White House instead of the traditional location in front of a blue, imperial looking backdrop. He moved his press briefings to the Grand Hallway of the White House instead of the traditional location in front of a blue, imperial looking backdrop. He hired Jerald terHorst to be his press secretary. He was a member of the press and the reporters were comfortable with his honesty. He hired Jerald terHorst to be his press secretary. He was a member of the press and the reporters were comfortable with his honesty.

Ford’s First Press Conference Ford came into his first press conference with high hopes and expectations that he could answer questions about the economy, foreign policy, and the new directions that he would take the country. He was asked many questions about the economy and foreign policy. Ford was asked several questions about Nixon, a potential pardon, and what he planned to do with Nixon’s tapes. Ford was angry after the press conference because he felt the country only wanted to focus on Nixon. Ford was very intent on healing the nation and wanted to shut the book on Nixon for good.

Ford Gathers His Staff Ford gathered his staff of Philip Buchen, Henry Kissenger, Jack Marsh, Robert Hartmann, and Alexander Haig to discuss the press conference. Ford gathered his staff of Philip Buchen, Henry Kissenger, Jack Marsh, Robert Hartmann, and Alexander Haig to discuss the press conference. Ford indicated that he was eager to move the country forward and was considering pardoning Nixon. Ford indicated that he was eager to move the country forward and was considering pardoning Nixon. Haig, Kissenger, and Buchen thought it was a good idea. Haig, Kissenger, and Buchen thought it was a good idea. Marsh and Hartmann thought the timing was too soon. Marsh and Hartmann thought the timing was too soon. HaigHartmannMarshKissinger

Buchen, California, and the Tapes Ford’s next move was to have Buchen look into the possibility of pardoning Nixon before he had been indicted. Ford sent Benton Becker to California to settle the tapes controversey. Ford sent Benton Becker to California to settle the tapes controversey. The result was that Nixon had acess to the tapes in a California facility that only he and the General Accounting Office had keys to. He was not allowed to remove documents. The result was that Nixon had acess to the tapes in a California facility that only he and the General Accounting Office had keys to. He was not allowed to remove documents.

The Pardon Thirty days after Nixon resigned Ford gave him a pardon for all possible crimes committed while President of the United States. The press reaction was negative for the Ford White House. The leaders of Congress were furious and it destroyed Republican candidates in the midterm elections. Thirty days after Nixon resigned Ford gave him a pardon for all possible crimes committed while President of the United States. The press reaction was negative for the Ford White House. The leaders of Congress were furious and it destroyed Republican candidates in the midterm elections.

Speculation of a Deal? There is speculation that a deal was made between Ford and Haig during an August 1, 1974 meeting. There is speculation that a deal was made between Ford and Haig during an August 1, 1974 meeting. In this meeting Haig was asking Ford for advice on how to advise Nixon. In this meeting Haig was asking Ford for advice on how to advise Nixon. Haig brought up the issue of the pardon and Ford did not react negatively which leads many to believe that Ford had indicated to Haig that he was open to the idea. Haig brought up the issue of the pardon and Ford did not react negatively which leads many to believe that Ford had indicated to Haig that he was open to the idea. There is no evidence of a deal. There is no evidence of a deal.

Press Reaction I The three major authors on the Ford pardon are Robert Mollenhoff, John Robert Greene, and James Cannon. Each of these authors indicate that the press reaction to the pardon was totally negative and that no media outlets supported the pardon. This is entirely untrue, these authors exaggerate the press reaction because they only used the New York Times and Washington Post for research. These authors also completely ignore the international press reaction which was divided.

Press Reaction II Gerald R. Ford Library Findings: Gerald R. Ford Library Findings: –Press reaction to pardon was negative primarily but not totally negative. –Los Angeles Times, Detroit Free Press, Shreveport Journal, Charleson News and Courier, and the Birmingham News ran favorable stories on the pardon. –International newspapers: Fiagro of Paris, Aftenpostem of Oslo, Daily Mail of London, Daily Express of London, and the Financial Times of London all were supportive of the pardon. –As said before, the Washington Post and New York Times were very vocal in their opposition to the pardon.

Congressional Reaction Congress on as a whole was against the pardon. Congress on as a whole was against the pardon. –Democrats were more vocal than Republicans. –Rep. Bella Abzug (D-NY) called for hearings on Ford’s decision. –Senators Kennedy, Hart, Mondale, and Ervin were the most critical. –Republican Lowell Weicker (CT) was very opposed to the pardon. –Republican Senator Hugh Scott of Pennsylvania was the most high profile Republican to praise the pardon. Abzug Hart Ervin Weicker Scott

Congressional Reaction II Congress also acted by passing Senate Resolution 401. Congress also acted by passing Senate Resolution 401. –Advised Ford not to pardon any other Watergate defendants.

Why did Ford pardon Nixon? Ford was obsessed with healing the Nation. Ford was obsessed with healing the Nation. August 28, 1974 Press Conference angered Ford and he wanted to clear Nixon out of the picture. August 28, 1974 Press Conference angered Ford and he wanted to clear Nixon out of the picture. Ford did not think Americans could focus on economy and real issues while hearing about Nixon’s trial. Ford did not think Americans could focus on economy and real issues while hearing about Nixon’s trial. Ford had a tendency to get angry and come to rushed decisions and forget the consequences. Ford had a tendency to get angry and come to rushed decisions and forget the consequences.

Consequences Republicans lost 4 Senate seats and 48 House seats in the 1974 midterm elections. Republicans lost 4 Senate seats and 48 House seats in the 1974 midterm elections. Negative press from both major papers doomed his chances of winning in Negative press from both major papers doomed his chances of winning in 1976.

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