Watergate: Nixon’s Downfall How does the Watergate cover up lead to Nixon’s downfall?

All The President’s Men: John Mitchell Former Atty General – Head of CREEP HR Haldeman Chief of Staff John Ehrlichman– Domestic Policy Advisor John Dean White House Counsel Charles Colson- Special Counsel to President Howard Hunt CIA

Break in at the DNC After Pentagon Papers, Nixon advisor Howard Hunt creates “The Plumbers” covert group that finds political “leaks” John Ehrlichman authorizes break-in of Daniel Ellsberg’s office June 17th, 1972: Burglars are caught trying to “bug” the Democrats’ HQ at the Watergate hotel The Press learns that the group’s leader James McCord worked for CREEP (Committee to RE-Elect the President)

Shred all documents pertaining to break-in The Cover Up Chief of Staff HR Haldeman informs President of break-in & suggests a cover up Shred all documents pertaining to break-in Use CREEP money to buy burglars silence Ask FBI to stop investigation (national security) Only media covering the story are two Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward & Carl Bernstein 1972 election Nixon wins in a landslide Clip question #1: What makes Woodward think the White House knows about the break-in?

More details come out linking White House officials to break-in Cover-up Unravels More details come out linking White House officials to break-in As the burglars are about to go on trial, James McCord admits that he originally lied about the break-in Woodward & Bernstein are being fed more information by an informant at the White House code named “Deep Throat” W & B finf out Haldeman, Erlichmann and Mitchell are involved with cover-up Clip #2: What does Deep Throat tell Woodward about Chief of Staff HR Haldeman? What does Woodward & Bernstein’s editor tell them? 2008: Washington Post has confirmed that Mark Felt, a former top FBI official, was Deep Throat

White House Tapes CREEP director John Mitchell resigns, Haldeman & Ehrlicman are forced to resign for their role in the cover-up Nixon fires WH counsel John Dean Senate begins an investigation, Dean reveals President knew of the cover up, White House denies accusations During hearings its revealed that there was a taping system in the Oval Office Senate demands Nixon turn over tapes, Nixon claims innocence

Nixon v. US Nixon refuses to give up tapes cites “executive privilege” Sp Prosecutor Archibald Cox takes Nixon to court over tapes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5AndvL7Y9k Clip: What was the Saturday Night Massacre? VP Spiro Agnew resigns due to tax evasion issues New Sp Pros Jaworski takes case to Supreme Court – SC forces Nixon to hand over tapes Despite 18 minute missing gap, tapes show Nixon knew of cover-up – House begins impeachment proceedings

Downfall of a President August 9th, 1974: Rather than face impeachment, Nixon resigns the Presidency Vice President Gerald Ford sworn in as President