Richard Nixon
THE WATERGATE SCANDAL
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
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
SCANDAL
The Pentagon Papers
Pentagon’s secret
papers (detailed
account) of the U.S.
actions in Vietnam
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
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
Watergate
Nixon’s downfall
Investigation started
with the break-in at the
Democratic Committee
offices
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
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
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
Violating the Law
Nixon was up for
impeachment
Congress organized
three arguments
against Nixon
Obstruction of Justice
Lying to investigators
Refusing to give up evidence
Interfering with a police investigation
Abuse of Power
Using power in a way unbecoming an executive
officer
Using his power in malice
Abusing his authority
Contempt of Congress
President cannot interpret, create, or define law
This violates the separation of powers
Nixon tried to give himself immunity
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