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Watergate Timeline
Lowell Weicker Oral History Project
Institute for Public History
Prepared by Amelia Meyer and Rachel Pierce, 06/15/2009
1969
Mar 26/27 Nixon deposits his vice presidential papers at the National Archives, a donation that tax
lawyers later write off as a gift, and thus a tax deduction. He repeats this process through
1972. Weicker cites change in tax laws that made writing off of presidential papers illegal
after July 25, 1969 near the end of the Watergate investigation, sealing the Nixon
Administration’s reputation as unlawful. (Maverick, 92)
1971
Oct 6
William C. Sullivan resigns from position as Assistant Director of FBI, less than four months
after being named to post.
Nov 23
Weicker recommends/supports Fred Gray as a possible appointee to Second Circuit Court of
Appeals in Connecticut. Gray would later become implicated in Watergate, though Weicker
remained loyal to him, portraying him as a largely unwitting participant in the cover-up.
Dec 5
Weicker is selected as one of 9 Congressmen (1 Senator [Weicker] and 8 Representatives) to
participate in Nixon's youth mobilization program, a part of his reelection campaign. (NY
Times, 12/05/1971)
1972
Jan 21/22
Weicker goes on a field visit to New Hampshire to check out Nixon's Young Voters
campaign under Reitz's control, dissatisfied.
Jan 31
Weicker meets w/ Reitz and tells him why he no longer wants to be involved with Young
Voters Committee.
Feb
Weicker supports Gray.
Feb 8
Weicker refuses to be announced as member of Congressional Advisory Committee to the
Young Voters Committee.
Feb 9
Memo from Kenneth Reitz (head of Nixon campaign’s young voters committee) about
Weicker’s resignation from committee.
Feb 15
Resignation of Commerce Secretary Maurice Stans.
March 24
Weicker speaks out on Senate floor in opposition to Nixon's antibusing legislation,
threatening to filibuster the "political exercise" - one of first instances of Weicker being
noticed by press. (NY Times, 03/25/1972)
June 17
Watergate break-in occurs, five men arrested .
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Aug 30
Nixon announces John Dean has investigated break-in and has found no one in White House
involved.
Sep 15
Grand jury indictment of 7 conspirators. Nixon meets w/ Dean and Haldeman.
Sep 29
Washington Post links former Attorney General John Mitchell to slush fund used to spy
on/investigate Democrats.
Oct
Weicker gives three speeches about erosion of public confidence following Watergate.
Oct 10
Washington Post reports CRP is linked to Watergate break-in.
Nov 11
Nixon re-elected in landslide.
Nov 16
Weicker criticizes Nixon campaign for not doing more to help Republican candidates win
seats (Democrats increased majority by 2 in Nov 7 elections).
Nov 18
Weicker's criticism in Washington Post. (The Washington Post, 11/18/1972; Times Herald,
11/18/1972)
1973
Jan 4
New York Times article about bill sponsored by Weicker that would bar Federal grand juries,
agencies, departments, and commissions, as well as Congressional committees from forcing
reporters to disclose sources. (NY Times, 01/04/1973)
Jan 8
Judge Sirica presides over trial of Watergate burglars.
Jan 11
E. Howard Hunt (CIA operative and White House "Plumber") pleads guilty.
Jan 15
Four Cuban Americans (Barker, Gonzalez, Martinez, and Sturgis) plead guilty.
Jan 30
Former aides G. Gordon Liddy ("Plumber") and James W. McCord Jr. (electronics expert and
former CIA agent who pled innocent) convicted of conspiracy, burglary, and wiretapping.
Feb 8
Weicker named to Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities. He is
specifically invested in creating legislation that shields reporters from White House pressure,
and is also interested in formulating campaign finance laws at a time when Nixon's campaign
"seemed to be a model for abuse of the system.” (Maverick , 46)
Feb 10-11 Counsel to the President John Dean, H.R. Haldmann, and John Ehrlichman meet at the La
Costa Country Club in San Diego, CA to discuss potential cover-up payments. (LA Times,
06/21/1973)
Feb 14
There is a motion filed to release the grand jury transcript to the Senate Select Committee.
Feb 21
Sam Dash is named as counsel and staff director for the Watergate Committee.
Feb 28
Pat Gray hearings begin; Weicker praises Gray before the Senate Judiciary Committee and
accompanies him to hearings.
March
Weicker begins his own personal investigation into the Watergate break-in.
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McCord sends letter to Judge Sirica revealing cover-up operation that ignites scandal.
March 6
Patrick Gray issues a statement as acting Director of the FBI about his truthfulness in
Watergate investigation; he delivers the statement to Weicker personally on March 8.
March 12
Weicker gives a speech to the Sales Association of Pulp and Paper in NYC, says "This
afternoon I want to talk not just about Watergate, but beyond Watergate; discusses ideas/need
for campaign finance reform." (Watergate Box 25)
March 13
Weicker introduces Senate bill S.1189, the "Federal Election Campaign Reform Act.” The
piece of legislation (NY Times, 07/06/1999)
March 15
Weicker criticizes Nixon on executive privilege in press release from Connecticut.
(Watergate Box 25)
March 16
Weicker calls the acting Director of FBI Fred Gray to request access to the FBI's Watergate
files. Gray apparently approves this but on same day, Senators Ervin and Baker as well as
Thompson and Dash refuse to authorize Gray’s decision, and Weicker is denied access to FBI
files. (Watergate Box 24)
March 20
Weicker battles with Kleindienst over imposed limits on his access to FBI files. He also
claims that Gray being “sacrificed” by higher-ups. Sam Ervin writes a letter to Weicker
informing him that the FBI files will be made available only to Chief Minority Counsel
(Thompson) and Chief Counsel (Sam Dash) as well as to Senator Baker and Ervin himself.
Weicker retaliates through a speech on the Senate floor, complaining that "[t]he Senate did
not create a two-man committee with five spectators." Weicker then asks the Select
Committee to issue subpoenas to both the Attorney General and FBI Director, requiring that
they release all relevant files. Weicker also makes additional a number of his own staff
available to Watergate committee. Weicker concludes by avowing that “[n]o agony over the
failure of this Congress to pass a housing program, or a veterans' benefit program, or a health
plan, etc. will be as great as the agony of a nation living with and operating under a political
system that it doesn't trust. That -- not the separation of powers -- is the problem that
confronts us all." (Watergate Box 24)
March 21
Nixon's own Watergate investigation allegedly begins (Nixon stated this in April 17
television address).
March 22
John Dean testifies before committee. Pat Gray writes a note thanking Weicker for comments
made on Senate floor.
March 23
Sirica sentences seven conspirators, including McCord and Liddy, who pled not guilty.
March 24
McCord testifies in front of the Watergate Committee. Weicker meets with Republican
National Committee (RNC) member Ed DeBolt about Nixon.
March 25
Weicker reported by Washington Star to know of others involved.
March 26
UPI interview: Weicker says top advisors knew about Watergate. He also issues a press
release announcing that Senator Robert Taft (R-OH) is making William E. Wickens, his
Director of Legislation, available to Weicker for Watergate investigation. Weicker also
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receives a memo from Wickens, which supports issuing a subpoena for Nixon's wiretaps.
Weicker conducts a meeting with Ed deBolt and Bob Herrema where deBolt states that Nixon
likely knows about the wiretapping. (Watergate Box 23)
March 27
Nixon tapes: Nixon asks, “What the hell makes Weicker tick?”
March 28
Lobbyist and Weicker campaign contributor calls a reporter about being contacted by Charles
Colson to demand Weicker “start acting like a real Republican.”
March 29
Weicker speaks to press following McCord hearings and claims that higher-ups were
involved in Watergate. Weicker also reveals the “Liddy tactic” during the press conference.
(Wall Street Journal, 03/30/1973)
March 31
Weicker meets with former FBI agent Alfred Baldwin, who was in charge of listening to
bugged conversations from Howard Johnson’s Hotel across from Watergate.
April/May Interviews CREEP staff with Wickens.
April 1
Weicker appears on the television news program Face the Nation and calls on Haldeman to
come clean.
April 2
Weicker requests information about CA Superior Court case Democratic State Central
Committee et al v. Comittee for the Preservation of the Democratic Party in California et al.
April 3
The Christian Monitor Sperling breakfast. Weicker calls on Haldeman to resign. Ervin and
Baker responded to Weicker’s insistence by issuing statement that committee had no
evidence implicating Haldeman. Timmons asks Baker, “How can we shut him up?”
(Washington Post ,04/08/1973; Times Herald. 04/08/1973)
April 4
Weicker has a telephone conversation with CREEP Director (from July-Nov 1972) Clark
MacGregor.
April 5
A number of phone calls about when Weicker will switch parties are exchanged.
April 6
John Dean begins working w/ Watergate prosecutors.
April 10
A “source” (Jack Gleason) meets with Weicker to discuss White House efforts to uncover
illegal campaign practices.
April 13
Weicker writes a letter to Sam Ervin about being left out of important committee decisions,
especially noting that the oversight is occurring alongside his denied access to FBI files and a
request to Judge Richey.
April 16
Weicker writes guest editorial in New York Times titled "A Republican Conscience."
(Watergate Box 25)
April 17
Weicker expresses support for President's decision to allow aides to testify in hearings.
April 18
Weicker issues radio statement in support of President's statement that day.
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April 19
Weicker reports that his locked office filing cabinet containing Watergate information was
found opened.
April 23
Former Nixon campaign aide Kenneth Reitz resigns.
April 25
Weicker meets with Pat Gray, who tells Weicker about Ehrlichman and Dean asking him to
hide the Hunt papers.
April 26
Weicker talks to the press about Gray’s role and the cover-up. Jeb Magruder, who helped to
run CREEP, resigns from the Nixon Administration.
April 27
A story involving Gray appears in newspapers and he resigns as Acting Director of the FBI.
April 29
Weicker appears on Issues and Answers with Senator Charles Percy (R-IL). An article about
Gray's resignation appears in the Hartford Courant, revealing Weicker's two questions to
Gray: 1) Why did Gray feel Dean was his superior, and 2) Why did Gray assume
responsibility to destroy Watergate files?
April 30
H. Robert Haldeman resigns. Haldeman’s resignation represents a turning point in the
investigation, given his role as liaison to CRP Gordon Strachan, John Ehrlichman, and
Attorney General Richard Kliendienst. The White House fires former counsel John Dean and
President Nixon names Elliot Richardson as his new Attorney General. In response, Weicker
makes a statement to press that truth must come out, avowing that those behind Watergate are
still in the White House. He also notes that, as of yet, the President has not been proven to be
involved and there is no reason currently for impeachment to be considered. Weicker asserts
that "[b]etween a critical press, a free judiciary, a free legislature and the Executive Branch
our system will allow the truth to come out." (Watergate Box 24)
May 3
Weicker meets with Dean privately, and Dean “synopsized everything.” Of particular
importance, Dean gives details of Ehrlichman ordering the destruction of implicating
documents and also elucidates FBI involvement in CREEP activities. (Maverick, 68;
Watergate Box 7)
May 11
Given evidence of the illegal break-in and theft of a number of documents on Ellberg’s
mental health, the judge declares a mistrial is declared in Ellberg case in Los Angeles.
May 12/13 The Select Committee holds mock hearings in Greenwich, Connecticut.
May 14
A second round of calls about whether Weicker will switch parties occurs. Meanwhile, CIA
#2 Vernon Walters alleges that Watergate operatives pressured the CIA and Judge Sirica
orders the release of Dean papers to the Select Committee.
May 17
The Senate Committee commences public hearings and James W. McCord Jr. testifies.
Reporter John Carmody observes that Weicker is “[o]utspoken, riding the Watergate issue for
all it’s worth, he will be highly visible and vocal.” During the hearings, Weicker finds that
Jeb Magruder had files removed from his desk at CREEP headquarters following the
Watergate burglary. Weicker's states that "the story to come, has its significance not in the act
of men breaking, entering, and bugging the Watergate, but in the acts of men who almost
stole America." (The Washington Post, 05/17/1973; New York Times, 06/17/1973; Watergate
Box 20)
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May 18
Televised coverage of the hearings begins. Archibald Cox selected as Justice Department’s
special prosecutor. According to reporter Joseph Craft, Weicker demonstrates that the Justice
Department was passing out security info to CREEP. (The Washington Post, 05/22/1973)
May 20
Weicker gives a speech at Connecticut College, averring that "I cannot understand those who
react to Watergate with fear." (Watergate Box 25)
May 22
Joseph Craft’s description of Weicker appears in the Washington Post – he notes that “The
point man on the committee, the senator who has forced the pace of investigation all along is
the Connecticut Republican, Lowell Weicker. […] He has developed a four-man
investigating team of his own. He has Connecticut contacts w/ two key witnesses—Acting
FBI Director L. Patrick Gray; and Alfred Baldwin, a security man hired for the original
Watergate break-in.” (The Washington Post, 05/22/1973)
May 24
Weicker and Howard Baker receive a letter from Amos E. Heacock about a Watergate
conspiracy theory.
May 30
Weicker and Bob Herrema interview Alan May.
May 31
Weicker gives a speech as Kent School, noting that "the question is, if you could be
guaranteed of not having to live again through the disagreeable and disruptive moments of
the 60s, would you accept the electronic surveillance, breaking and entering, the opening of
your mail, utilizing government security apparatus for political purposes--all by your
government? That's the question. And if you would, then you've entered the Watergate and
Mr. Barker is not a fool to be pitied--he is you.” (Watergate Box 25)
June
Weicker sends staffer Bill Wickens to Germany to investigate Army intelligence in Europe.
Weicker orders Colson out of his office after less than fifteen minutes of discussion, accusing
Colson of trying to pressure him into ceasing his independent Watergate investigation.
(Chicago Tribune, 06/30/1973)
June 4
Weicker requests that the FBI provide a list of work done by their Division 5 from Nov. 1,
1970-June 1, 1972 specifically involving Robert Mardian.
June 5
Weicker writes a letter to Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox after being denied access to
FBI's files, asks Cox to furnish the information he wanted to look at. Joseph Kraft sontinues
to provide supportive press coverage, asserting that “At the bottom, there is an idealistic
young Republican, Lowell Weicker of Connecticut, who keeps surging against any
disposition toward whitewash.” (The Washington Post, 06/05/1973)
June 7
Dean’s papers are leaked to the New York Times. The Wall Street Journal characterizes
Weicker as "[t]he junior member of the committee and its bull in a china shop. He has a
separate staff of three digging into the Watergate mess. Before the hearings even got going,
he accused White House Chief of Staff H.R. Haldeman of being responsible for Watergate.
Sens. Ervin and Baker slapped him down publicly. But the Senator says his mail is 'heavily
in favor' of his conduct and that his name recognition has increased greatly in Connecticut.
Mr. Weicker could benefit when he seeks re-election in 1976." (Wall Street Journal,
06/07/1973)
June 9
Weicker’s interview of May 3 with John Dean mysteriously surfaces in the New York Times.
(Watergate Box 7)
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June 12
Weicker issues a press release about Vice Ppresident Agnew's concern with defendants going
free due to the actions of the executive branch, noting that "[i]n all that time, what truth has
emerged has come from the press, the courts, and the Ervin Committee. Noticeably deficient
from any contribution to the facts have been the President and the Vice President of the
United States. That, not T.V. coverage, is what keeps the Ervin Committee in business."
(Watergate Box 9)
June 13
Interviews Assistant Director Brennan of the FBI about wiretaps.
June 14
Weicker states that he hasn’t been threatened by the White House. He writes a letter to
Archibald Cox, inquiring about whether or not the FBI has information about the break-in at
the apartment of James Earl Grant, Jr. on May 9, 1972.
June 17
Releases information asserting that accusations that he withdrew from the Nixon’s
Republican youth campaign in New Hampshire because he wanted complete control.
Weicker claims that he withdrew from the campaign because he did not agree with its
approach.
June 19
Fred Thompson writes a letter to Weicker about the fact that he was not source for Seymour
Hersh's story. The letter appears heated. (Watergate Box 24)
June 23
Weicker, along with Democratic members of Senate Committee, expresses support for not
calling Dean to testify again. (NY Times. 06/24/1973)
June 25
The third round of calls occurs. The Washington Star reports on Weicker’s isolation within
the Watergate Committee, while the committee interviews former counsel to the President
John Dean interviewed by Select Committee, the first of five days of questioning.
June 26
The press reports that Chuck Colson planted the phony Weicker campaign finances story.
Meanwhile, Weicker questions Dean, eventually unearthing the "enemies list."
June 27
Weicker appears on the Today Show to talk about public and private pressures on the
Watergate Committee. Weicker also receives a call from Leonard Garment, Nixon’s special
counsel, regarding Weicker's accusation that there have been efforts to influence the Select
Committee. Peter Irons writes telegram to Weicker about William C. Sullivan leaking files on
Alger Hiss to John F. Cronin in 1945, and Nixon receiving those files two years later.
(Watergate Box 23)
June 28
Weicker calls Special Prosecutor Cox, Chairman Sam Ervin, and Vice Chair Howard Baker
about pressure from the White House. Weicker also makes statement during the Watergate
hearings about his “disloyalty” asserting that “I say before you and this committee that I am
here as a Republican and, quite frankly, I think that I express the feelings of the 42 other
Republicans of the state of CT and, in fact, the Republican party, far better than these legal,
unconstitutional, and gross acts which have been committed over the past several months by
various individuals.” His statement garners praise from retired Army Chief of Staff General
Matthew B. Ridgway and the letter from Ridgway is later released to the public. Weicker also
receives a substantial number of letters from supporters throughout the country. (NY Times.
06/29/1973; Chicago Tribune, 07/30/1973; Watergate Box 25)
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June 29
Kleindienst calls Weicker about the discovery of a taped conversation between Ehrlichman
and Kleindienst. This discovery prompts a phonecall to Nixon, who reassures Weicker that
he will be protected. The conversation is taped by Nixon: "Lowell, you know under no
circumstances would I ever do anything to you." L: "I know Dick." John Dean testifies that
Nixon knew about the Watergate cover-up. (Watergate Box 22)
July 9
Weicker meets with William C. Sullivan.
July 13
The former presidential appointments secretary Alexander Butterfield testifies that Nixon has
taped all of his phone calls and conversations since 1971.
July 15
Weicker appears on Newsmakers, again maintaining that he is more interested in what
happened than in implicating the President in anything illegal. Additionally, he asserts that he
is against subpoenaing the President or taking legal action to obtain the president's
documents. (Watergate Box 24)
July 18
Nixon orders an end to his secret taping.
July 23
The Senate Committee and Cox demand that Nixon release the tapes of his conversations.
Meanwhile, the committee questions Gordon Strachan, who alleges that the White House
covertly supported Democratic candidates who supported Nixon's Vietnam War positions.
These primarily constituted Southern Dixiecrats. Weicker sends letter to Clarence Kelly, the
director of the FBI, requesting information about FBI investigations into a number of
organizations from 1970-1972. Weicker's name is listed as one of potential targets of the FBI
investigation. (Watergate Box 23)
July 24
John Ehrlichman (former Chief Domestic Advisor) is interviewed by the Select Committee,
his testimony ending on July 30. Ehrlichman and Weicker repeatedly clash over Ehrlichman’s
evasive testimony. Weicker reacts to Strachan's comments the day before, calling the alleged
White House actions a "grave disservice." Weicker appears on The Today Show, avowing that
"[t]his man [President Nixon] is supposed to . . . represent the highest in integrity . . . in this
country. And instead he, I think, rather puts himself above the law." Weicker promises to ask
the Watergate Committee to subpoena the White House Tapes. (Watergate Box 25;
Watergate Box 24; Chicago Tribune, 07/28/1973)
July 25
Nixon refuses to hand over his tapes, claiming executive privilege.
July 26
The Watergate Committee issues a subpoena for the White House tapes. John Dean
implicates President in cover-up during his testimony.
July 27
Weicker appears on The Today Show with Senator Joseph Montoya (D-NM). Weicker derides
the focus on investigating President Nixon, asserting that too much attention on the
president’s role will make Watergate irrelevant if the committee finds nothing implicating
Nixon. At a National Press Club luncheon, Weicker discusses wanting to extend the
Watergate hearings past the August 3rd congressional break. (Watergate Box 24; The
Washington Post, 07/28/1973)
July 31
Former assistant to the president John Haldeman appears before the Watergate Committee,
clashing with Weicker over apparent intransigence in his replies to Senate questioning.
Weicker receives a letter from FBI Director Kelly, who refuses to comply with Weicker's
request for information on FBI investigations of Nixon’s political enemies, citing the
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establishment of the Senate Subcommittee on FBI Oversight, which prevents the agency from
releasing information to individual members of Congress. (The Washington Post, 08/01/1973)
Aug 2
GAO launches an investigation after the discovery of mishandled campaign contributions.
Aug 3
Weicker's guest editorial appears in the Morning Record. In it, he reveals that he has
documentary evidence showing that Army intelligence spied on McGovern supporters in
Europe in 1972. (Chicago Tribune, 08/04/1973)
Aug 7
Weicker and three other Senate Com members appear on Dick Cavett Show; Weicker: “There
is nothing like an eyeball to eyeball confrontation in full view of the American people” (LA
Times. 08/08/1973)
Aug 9
Nixon refuses to comply with a subpoena for his tapes, forcing the Senate Committee to take
legal action.
Aug 13
Weicker meets with the four Cuban-Americans convicted of the Watergate break-in in a
Connecticut federal penitentiary. Gray writes a letter to Weicker, thanking him for continued
support.
Aug 18-24 A poll conducted by Harris Survey for Washington Post reports that Ervin gained most in
public opinion through the course of the Watergate hearings, while Weicker is rated at 45%,
an increase since July.
Aug 21/22 A public reaction test conducted in Westport/Weston, CT to judge citizens' opinions of
Watergate gives Weicker favorable ratings: "excellent" = 31.9%, "good" = 40.6%, "poor" =
7.8%, "bad" = 7.8%, "no opinion" = 11.9%. (Watergate Box 24)
Aug 29
Judge Sirica orders Nixon to release nine office tapes.
Sep 14
Summons to Select Com in case of National Citizens’ Committee for Fairness to the
Presidency, Inc.: accused of undermining Dept. of Justice and presenting testimony in way
that undermined justice, domestic tranquility.
Sep 21
Weicker is the only Republican to vote against Kissinger’s nomination to be Secretary of
State.
Sep 25
Weicker attends a Republican State Central Meeting.
Sep 27
Weicker has first closed-door session w/ CT Republicans and is said to have made a positive
impression. (NY Times, 09/27/1973.
Oct 11
Spiro Agnew resigns from the vice presidency. Weicker writes a letter requesting that the
Select Committee call William Sullivan as witness.
Oct 14
The Washington Post reports that Weicker’s “third front” papers will be released to the
public. (The Washington Post.10/14/ 1973)
Oct 16
Weicker receives a letter from William C. Sullivan, who expresses anger at Weicker's
accusations of his involvement in 1972 election.
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Oct 19
Nixon announces the “Stennis Plan,” a Senate Committee concession to Nixon’s claims of
executive privilege, which allows the president to review his office tapes himself and submit
written transcript of “appropriate” evidence. Sam Ervin responds to Weicker's letter about
calling Sullivan as a witness, arguing that he likely has nothing to offer the committee
regarding the 1972 election, but promising that he will take it up with the committee.
Oct 20
In what is later referred to as the “Saturday Night Massacre,” Archibald Cox is fired by
Robert Bork (solicitor general) after both Attorney General Elliot L. Richarson and Deputy
AG William D. Ruckelshaus refuse to do so. Richarson and Ruckelshaus are then fired.
Meanwhile, Weicker announces his opposition to the Stennis plan in a press release issues
from Connecticut.
Oct 22
Members of the House begin calling for Nixon's impeachment. Weicker interviews W. Mark
Felt, former Associate Director of FBI, with A.S. Field present.
Oct 23
Nixon surrenders a selection of tapes. In an interview on WTIC News (in Hartford, CT),
Weicker says that he accepts Dean's testimony as largely truthful because "Dean admitted
that he was part of the cover up. He admitted it. Now who else has admitted it?"
Oct 31
Weicker releases White House memoranda documenting use of government agencies to
investigate opponents during presidential campaign. The evidence includes 21 memos dated
between Sep 16 and Oct 14, 1969. (Baltimore Sun. 11/01/1973)
Nov 1
Leon Jaworski announced as the successor to A. Cox as special prosecutor.
Nov 7
Weicker addresses Midwest Graphics 1973 trade show; he was asked to attend because of his
fame as a Watergate investigator.
Nov 12
Weicker sends a letter to Sam Ervin notifying him of a request made to the White House for
formal meeting between the Senate Committee and the President.
Nov 17
Nixon declares, “I am not a crook.”
Dec 6
Gerald Ford is confirmed as Vice President by Congress. Weicker does not initially support
Ford’s nomination, but eventually comes to regard him as “the best president of my adult
lifetime.” (Maverick, 86)
Dec 7 – 18 Nixon’s office tapes reveal a five-minute gap in one of tapes, which the White House fails to
explain.
Dec 11
Weicker turns over his findings from the two-month investigation of Nixon’s taxes to the
IRS.
Dec 12
Weicker writes to the IRS Commissioner about Nixon’s paper gift and tax deduction issues.
Dec 14
Weicker and Ervin both make their own taxes public, though Weicker’s have been part of the
public record since 1969.
1974
Jan 9
Weicker is notified of his 1973 Congressional attendance record which, at 91.2%, is one of
the better attendance records in the Senate,
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Jan 21
Weicker appears on the Today Show with Senators Charles Percy (R-IL), Henry Jackson (DWA) and Lloyd Bentsen (D-TX).
Feb 6
The House authorizes a Judiciary Committee investigation into possible grounds for Nixon’s
impeachment.
Feb 21
Senate Resolution 288 is passed unanimously and authorizes a Senate Committee to receive
information from IRS regarding investigation of fund transfer from Howard Hughes to
Charles G. Rebozo. Rebozo, a close friend of Nixon, had received money from Hughes as
part of the Nixon campaign which he repaid three years later.
March 1
Indictments issued by grand jury for Colson, Ehrlichman, Haldeman, Mardian, Mitchell,
Parkinson, and Strachan – only 7 indicted even though there was possibility that up to 40
would be indicted. Nixon is named as an "unindicted co-conspirator."
March 16
Weicker tells the Republican Party in Connecticut to “get as far away from Watergate and the
President as possible.” (Chicago Tribune. 03/17/1974)
March 25
Weicker requests to testify on April 8 at hearing of Foreign Relations Subcommittee on
Administrative Practice and Procedure and on Constitutional Rights (from Sam Ervin,
Edmund Muskie, and Edward Kennedy)
April 8
Weicker issues statement in full support of Subcommittees (see March 25)
April 16
Jaworski subpoenas 64 White House tapes.
April 30
Nixon provides only edited transcripts of subpoenaed tapes
May 2
The New York Times releases transcripts of tapes from White House. (NY Times. 05/02/1974)
May 4
Senate Committee questions Alexander Haig about President's activities
May 5
Senator Bob Dole invites Weicker and Howard Baker to help him campaign for re-election
due to their work on the Watergate hearings.
May 9
The impeachment hearings begin in the House Judiciary Committee.
May 12
Weicker addresses graduation American University student; warns them about apathy in
Watergate case.
May 16
Weicker receives telegram from Rebozo's lawyer, William Snow Frates, about "intentional
false and malicious leaks concerning the Davis matter"; request the committee consider
Rebozo's argument to drop subpoenas against him. (Watergate Box 24)
June
The final report of the Senate Select Committee is released.
July 14
Weicker appears on Face the Nation. Additionally, Weicker confirms that evidence of
possible perjury by witnesses in Watergate investigations was turned over to the special
prosecutor’s office. (Chicago Tribune, 07/15/1974)
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July 16
Weicker’s “What Do Americans Now Know, and What Are They Going to Do about It?” is
published in the Los Angeles Times. (LA Times, 07/16/1974)
July 18
The Senate approves the Weicker amendment to the appropriations bill. The amendment
would make all banking records confidential, as well as mandating notification of bank
record investigations, should the IRS need to conduct such investigations. (Watergate Box
25)
July 24
The Supreme Court hands down its unanimous ruling (US v. Nixon) that the Nixon tapes must
be turned over to investigators, narrowing the grounds presidents can claim as executive
privilege.
July 27-30 The House Judiciary Committee passes three articles of impeachment: obstruction of justice,
misuse of power/violation of oath of office, failure to comply with subpoenas.
July 3
The Weicker amendment is dropped by joint House-Senate committee
Aug 5
The "smoking gun" transcripts are released by Nixon; they demonstrate that he obstructed the
Senate and independent counsel investigations into the Watergate break-ins and directed the
cover-up operation thereafter.
Aug 8
Nixon resigns.
Aug 16
Weicker issues a statement on the floor of the Senate in support of making all bank records
confidential ("Weicker amendment" to Senate appropriations bill that would notify people
who are having their bank records investigted). (Watergate Box 25)
Sep 8
Ford grants a pardon to Nixon, surprising many.
Nov 26
Weicker writes a letter to Chief Judge Sirica urging him to ease Dean’s sentence.
1975
January
Aug 5
1977
July 15
Judge Sirica orders the release of the four Cuban-Americans arrested following the Watergate
break-in.
A Hartford Times article reports that Weicker has been cleared by Archibald Cox of
allegations of improper campaigning in 1970. (Hartford Times, 08/05/1975)
Weicker writes a letter to David Stephenson (Deputy Pardon Attorney) urging pardons of
Barker, Martinez, Gonzalez, and Sturgis.