1. Richard Nixon
THE WATERGATE SCANDAL

2. President Nixon Republican President from California
First Republican President since Eisenhower
Elected after the liberal Lyndon Johnson
Johnson was responsible for escalating the Vietnam War
Nixon was elected solely on his guarantee to end the war

3. Nixon’s success Very successful at foreign policy
Reopened China to the United States
Established detente with the Soviet Union
Widely supported because of these actions

4. SCANDAL The Pentagon Papers
Pentagon’s secret papers (detailed account) of the U.S. actions in Vietnam

5. Pentagon Papers These secret documents would be leaked to the public
They explained actions that the U.S. public were unaware of including
Fire bombing neutral countries
Presidential lies about war plans

6. Pentagon Papers
The government has lied to the people, and now it looks currupt
Nixon tried to censor the newspapers that were printing the stories and original documents
Denied
Nixon sued in a final attempt
The Supreme Court rules in favor of the paper
High treason was not committed

7. Watergate Nixon’s downfall
Investigation started with the break-in at the Democratic Committee offices

8. Watergate These men who broke in were connected to White House staff
Upon further investigation they were also connected to the Committee to Reelect the President
They were contributing/receiving from an illegal campaign fund

9. White House Tapes
Tapes of recorded conversations in the oval office had been taken for years
Nixon’s tapes were subpoenaed
Nixon originally refused to give them up
United States v. Nixon
The President is not immune from prosecution and investigation

10. White House Tapes Reveal that Nixon knew about the break-in
Nixon acknowledged an attempted cover-up
Ordered his staff to try and stop the FBI investigation

11. Violating the Law Nixon was up for impeachment
Congress organized three arguments against Nixon

12. Obstruction of Justice
Lying to investigators
Refusing to give up evidence
Interfering with a police investigation

13. Abuse of Power Using power in a way unbecoming an executive officer
Using his power in malice
Abusing his authority

14. Contempt of Congress President cannot interpret, create, or define law
This violates the separation of powers
Nixon tried to give himself immunity

15. Others? Assuming Nixon ordered the break in...
Violation of search and seizure laws
Must obtain a warrant for wire taps, and entrance to a facility
Violating 1st Amendment, Freedom of Press?
Accepting illegal campaign funds?
Those who broke in revealed the fund