Watergate: Nixon’s Downfall Chapter 24 section 2

Nixon & his White House Office of the Presidency has grown to supreme authority Office of the Presidency has grown to supreme authority Nixon takes advantage (Cambodia, holding funds) Nixon takes advantage (Cambodia, holding funds) Surrounds himself with loyal group Surrounds himself with loyal group Halderman, Ehrlichman, Mitchell Halderman, Ehrlichman, Mitchell Feel above the law Feel above the law

Drive to Reelection Afraid of losing, Nixon employs any means necessary Afraid of losing, Nixon employs any means necessary Stealing info from DNC headquarters located in Watergate building Stealing info from DNC headquarters located in Watergate building 5 men caught breaking in, 1 member of Committee to Reelect the President (CRP) 5 men caught breaking in, 1 member of Committee to Reelect the President (CRP) Cover-up begins immediately; election of 1972, issue not major Cover-up begins immediately; election of 1972, issue not major Peace in Vietnam gets Nixon elected Peace in Vietnam gets Nixon elected

Investigators Writes from Washington Post keep up investigation Writes from Washington Post keep up investigation Woodward & Bernstein uncover members of the admin. connected to burglary Woodward & Bernstein uncover members of the admin. connected to burglary Get crucial information from “Deep Throat”, an anonymous source Get crucial information from “Deep Throat”, an anonymous source Revealed in 2005 as Mark Felt a former FBI officer during Nixon’s administration Revealed in 2005 as Mark Felt a former FBI officer during Nixon’s administration

The informants Woodward & Bernstein Mark Felt

The Investigation Trial for burglars begins, judge convinced they didn’t act alone; one admits he lied Trial for burglars begins, judge convinced they didn’t act alone; one admits he lied President responds immediately to a Senate investigation; dismisses several staff members President responds immediately to a Senate investigation; dismisses several staff members Denied charges, started his own investigation Denied charges, started his own investigation Senate began calling administration Senate began calling administration The “Presidents Men” begin to testify The “Presidents Men” begin to testify

Testimony John Dean testifies that the President was deeply involved in cover-up John Dean testifies that the President was deeply involved in cover-up White House denies charges White House denies charges Alexander Butterfield (aide) revealed that Nixon taped all his conversations Alexander Butterfield (aide) revealed that Nixon taped all his conversations Become key to knowing what & when Nixon knew Become key to knowing what & when Nixon knew

Saturday Night Massacre Court orders Nixon to turn over tapes- refuses & orders prosecutor fired Court orders Nixon to turn over tapes- refuses & orders prosecutor fired Attorney General Richardson refuses & resigns. Nixon orders Asst. Attorney General to do it, refuses & is fired Attorney General Richardson refuses & resigns. Nixon orders Asst. Attorney General to do it, refuses & is fired Finally fired, but replacement still wants tapes Finally fired, but replacement still wants tapes Judiciary Committee starts talking impeachment Judiciary Committee starts talking impeachment VP Agnew resigns after charges of accepting bribes VP Agnew resigns after charges of accepting bribes Minority leader Gerald Ford appointed new VP Minority leader Gerald Ford appointed new VP

The Fall of a President 7 presidential aids indicted on charges 7 presidential aids indicted on charges President says he’ll release edited transcripts of tapes; not good enough President says he’ll release edited transcripts of tapes; not good enough Supreme Court rules that Nixon must turn over unedited tapes Supreme Court rules that Nixon must turn over unedited tapes Nixon argues for national security Nixon argues for national security Maintains innocence “I am not a crook” Maintains innocence “I am not a crook”

Resignation Enough evidence to impeach Nixon Enough evidence to impeach Nixon Obstruction of justice, abuse of power & contempt of Congress for refusing subpoena Obstruction of justice, abuse of power & contempt of Congress for refusing subpoena Nixon releases tapes, but w/ gaps Nixon releases tapes, but w/ gaps 18 ½ minutes missing of vital conversation 18 ½ minutes missing of vital conversation Another tape (6 days after) reveals the President knew, covered it up, hindered investigation Another tape (6 days after) reveals the President knew, covered it up, hindered investigation Aug. 8, 1974 Nixon announces resignation Aug. 8, 1974 Nixon announces resignation Still maintains innocence, just bad judgment Still maintains innocence, just bad judgment Effect lingered; distrust of govt. Effect lingered; distrust of govt.

Resignation