Watergate
The downfall of President
Richard M. Nixon
Battling Political Enemies
A. Political Enemies: President Nixon had a secretive, suspicious nature
and created a list of “political enemies” who he considered hostile
toward his administration
B. Wiretaps: used to spy on people on his staff and reporters
C. Pentagon Papers: Secret White House documents that exposed JFK and
LBJ misleading Congress and the public about the Vietnam War that was
“leaked” to the NY Times – NY Times vs. U.S.
D. Plumbers: Secret White House unit created to stop “leaks” from the White
House. They were made up of ex CIA and FBI agents. They conducted
“smear” campaigns to discredit critics of President Nixon
1972 Presidential Election
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CREEP –
Committee to Re-elect the President led by
Attorney General John Mitchell, used questionable tactics or
“dirty tricks” to discredit Democratic candidates running for
office
Hecklers were sent to Democratic rallies and Nixon “spies”
joined Democratic organizations to report back to CREEP
The Watergate Break-in –
“Plumbers” installed
listening devises in the headquarters of the Democratic Party in
the Watergate Complex in Washington DC
Plumbers were caught by a security guard and arrested
Watergate Complex
The Cover Up
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President Nixon orders the CIA to persuade the FBI to stop the
investigation, thus illegally obstructing justice by attempting to
cover up the truth about the White House involvement in the
Watergate break-in.
Nixon uses $1,000,000 of campaign funds to pay the burglars to
plea guilty (hush money) and not implicate the White House in
the burglary
Nixon wins a landslide election in 1972 defeating George
McGovern 520 electoral votes to 17. McGovern only carried
Massachusetts and Wash. DC.
1972 Election Results
The Scandal Unfolds
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The Watergate Trial – All 5 burglars plead guilty and remain
quiet about the White House involvement.
Woodward and Bernstein – Two Washington Post reporters
expose secret funds and “dirty tricks”.
Senate Select Committee (May 1973) begin investigation into
White House involvement and subpoena Nixon aides.
Watergate Tapes – Alexander Butterfield testifies that Nixon has
been audio taping all White House conversations. Nixon refuses
to hand over the tapes citing reasons of national security and
executive privilege.
Saturday Night Massacre – Nixon fires the special prosecutor to
investigate Watergate scandal and his Attorney General who
refused to go along with the dismissal.
Scandal Unfolds Continued
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Senate Select Committee investigation reveals that Nixon used
the IRS to harass innocent citizens, and accepted bribes from
various lobbying groups.
Vice President, Spiro T. Agnew is forced to resign for taking
bribes while serving as governor of Maryland.
Congress appoints Gerald Ford to replace Agnew.
Former White House lawyer, John Dean, testifies that Nixon and
his White House officials obstructed justice by covering up the
Watergate break-in.
Watergate Scandal
President Nixon Resigns
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The Supreme Court orders Nixon to release the tapes which
clearly implicate him in an attempt to cover up the Watergate
burglary and obstruction of justice
The House Judiciary Committee begins to draw up articles of
impeachment.
August 9, 1974, Nixon resigns from the Presidency and Gerald
Ford is sworn in (the only person ever appointed president)
President Ford pardons Nixon for any crimes associated with the
Watergate investigation
Lessons Learned?
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Constitutional Crisis – Impeachment?
Did the checks and balance system work?
Executive Power, Executive Privilege?
At what point should the president be able to
keep information from public exposure?
Police State?
How much force is reasonable to maintain law
and order within a nation?
Election of Public Officials?
How much blame should be put on the
American people for Watergate? They are the
ones who elected Nixon.