1 Watergate Scandal Angela Brown

2 Nixon determined to win 1972 election by an overwhelming majority Nixon determined to win 1972 election by an overwhelming majority To move programs through Congress To move programs through Congress Fiercely loyal aides concocted schemes to ensure victory. Fiercely loyal aides concocted schemes to ensure victory. Nixon tried to hide their illegal actions – involved himself in Scandalous series of events that cost him the presidency Nixon tried to hide their illegal actions – involved himself in Scandalous series of events that cost him the presidency L~Nixon-Inauguration-Posters.jpg

3 Siege Mentality President suspicious and secretive nature caused White House to operate as if under siege. Staff sought to protect Nixon at all costs from anything that might weaken his political position.

4 The Enemies List Special counsel Charles W. Colsen helped develop a list of people unsympathetic to administration. Included Senator Edward Kennedy, reporter Daniel Schorr, comedian Dick Gregory, Actors Jane Fonda and Steve McQueen. colson-sm.jpg

5 Jane Fonda and John Kerry Aides considered how to harass “enemies” arranged income tax investigations of people on list

6 Wiretaps 1969 Someone in National Security Council leaked secret information to The New York Times Someone in National Security Council leaked secret information to The New York Times. Nixon ordered Kissinger to install wiretaps on phones of several staff members – and newspaper reporters. Nixon ordered Kissinger to install wiretaps on phones of several staff members – and newspaper reporters. Installed for national security reasons so were legal. Installed for national security reasons so were legal. Henry Kissinger

7 FBI This would lead to illegal wiretapping for political purposes. Nixon sought tighter coordination of intelligence activities. FBI under director J. Edgar Hoover already illegally monitoring radical activists by wiretaps and opening mail. Later staff plans so outside law even Hoover rejected

8 The Plumbers Nixon upset that Daniel Ellsberg got away with leaking Pentagon Papers to New York Times in Nixon upset that Daniel Ellsberg got away with leaking Pentagon Papers to New York Times in Upset by further leaks – feared secret discussions with China and the Soviet Union would be undermined by leaks. Upset by further leaks – feared secret discussions with China and the Soviet Union would be undermined by leaks. Approved a plan to organize a special White House unit to stop government leaks Approved a plan to organize a special White House unit to stop government leaks nicknamed the plumbers. nicknamed the plumbers.

9 Included E. Howard Hunt (spy novelist and former CIA agent) and G. Gordon Liddy (former FBI agent) Included E. Howard Hunt (spy novelist and former CIA agent) and G. Gordon Liddy (former FBI agent) Sept approval of White House Chief domestic advisor John Ehrlichman Sept approval of White House Chief domestic advisor John Ehrlichman broke into the office of Ellsberg’s psychiatrist broke into the office of Ellsberg’s psychiatrist hoped to find and disclose damaging information about his private life hoped to find and disclose damaging information about his private life G. Gordon Liddy Howard Hunt

10 Nixon’s Reelection Campaign Committee to reelect the President headed by former attorney General John Mitchell launched a special fund raising campaign to collect as much as possible before a new law made it necessary to report contributions. Money would fund routine campaign activists and unethical hidden activities.

11 Edmund Muskie 1972 made up a letter discrediting Democratic Senator Edmund Muskie, a leading Presidential contender 1972 made up a letter discrediting Democratic Senator Edmund Muskie, a leading Presidential contender leaked letter to Conservative New Hampshire newspaper. leaked letter to Conservative New Hampshire newspaper. Charged Muskie of making insulting comments about French Canadians in statetwo weeks before New Hampshire Primary Charged Muskie of making insulting comments about French Canadians in statetwo weeks before New Hampshire Primary also claimed Muskie’s wife an alcoholic also claimed Muskie’s wife an alcoholic

12 “Dirty Tricks” Muskie, normally composed, broke down in tears before TV cameras – damaged his candidacy Muskie, normally composed, broke down in tears before TV cameras – damaged his candidacy Attempts to sabotage opponents became known as “dirty tricks” Attempts to sabotage opponents became known as “dirty tricks” Ex: sending hecklers to disrupt democratic campaign meetings and assigning undercover “spies” to join campaigns of major candidates Ex: sending hecklers to disrupt democratic campaign meetings and assigning undercover “spies” to join campaigns of major candidates

13 The Watergate Break-In Within Committee to Reelect President a group was formed to gather secret political information – Liddy and Hunt. One scheme called for wiretapping top democrats to try to compromise delegates at their convention. Mitchell refused – plan to expensive

14 March 1972 approved plan for Liddy to oversee wiretapping of phones at Democratic National Committee headquarters in Watergate Apartment Complex in Washington D.C. First break in failed June 1972, second attempt ended with arrest of 5 men – carried money traced to committee – tied break- in directly to Nixon’s reelection campaign

15 Nixon Aides Nixon contacted CIA – authorized them to persuade FBI to stop investigating on the grounds involved “National Security”. Nixon contacted CIA – authorized them to persuade FBI to stop investigating on the grounds involved “National Security”. Action would come back to haunt him – now part of illegal coverup = WATERGATE SCANDAL. Action would come back to haunt him – now part of illegal coverup = WATERGATE SCANDAL. President’s aides worked to keep truth hidden – public bearly noticed for months. President’s aides worked to keep truth hidden – public bearly noticed for months.

16 Summer 1972 Halderman, Ehrlichman, Mitchell, and others distributed illegal “HUSH MONEY” to buy defendents silence also committed perjury to shield President Efforts paid off Nixon defeated Senator George McGovern 520 to 17 electoral votes and sizeable majority of popular votes did not get republican majority in either house.

17 The Watergate Scandal Unfolds Watergate story refused to go away. Watergate story refused to go away. Washington post continued asking probing questions of administration officials. Washington post continued asking probing questions of administration officials. online/woodstein/post/images/03b_detail.jpg

18 The Watergate Trial Jan 1973 trial begins – all defendants either pled guilty or were found guilty Jan 1973 trial begins – all defendants either pled guilty or were found guilty March 1973 just before sentencing Nixon personally approved “Hush Money” to E. Howard Hunt March 1973 just before sentencing Nixon personally approved “Hush Money” to E. Howard Hunt

19 Judge Sirica Judge Sirica not convinced he had gotten to bottom of matter Judge Sirica not convinced he had gotten to bottom of matter to prompt burglars to talk sentenced prison terms up to 40 years to prompt burglars to talk sentenced prison terms up to 40 years suggested sentences could be reduced if they cooperated with upcoming Senate hearings on Watergate suggested sentences could be reduced if they cooperated with upcoming Senate hearings on Watergate

20 Woodward and Bernstein Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, Washington Post reporters, were following a trail of leads sensed would lead to White House Before election had discovered secret funds and had written about political spying and sabotage Called John Mitchell to verify story He angrily denied it

21 The Senate Investigates Feb 1973 Senate Select Committee began investigating Watergate Affair. James McCord testified in secret session in response to his lengthy prison sentence gave a vague sense of what happened suggested Nixon staffers were involved Stories by Woodward and Bernstein helped probe leaks for Senate Committee aided reporters

22 Fired Reporters received key info. from secret informant Reporters received key info. from secret informant = book and movie All the Presidents Men = book and movie All the Presidents Men To protect himself April 1973 Nixon fired Halderman and Ehrllichman To protect himself April 1973 Nixon fired Halderman and Ehrllichman Nixon stated on TV he would take final responsibility for mistakes of others Nixon stated on TV he would take final responsibility for mistakes of others May 1973 began televising hearing May 1973 began televising hearing Americans watched with fascination Americans watched with fascination

23 John Dean John Dean, Nixon’s personal legal counselor, sought to save himself testified Nixon knew about the cover-up Most dramatic moment – an aide revealed existence of secret taping system in Presidents office recorded all meetings and phone conversations. System set up to provide historical record of Nixon presidency now tapes to show whether Nixon involved in cover-up

24 The “Saturday Night Massacre” May 1973 to prove honesty Nixon agreed to appointment of special Watergate prosecutor May 1973 to prove honesty Nixon agreed to appointment of special Watergate prosecutor Special prosecutor works for Justice Department but conducts an independent investigation of alleged wrongdoing by government official Special prosecutor works for Justice Department but conducts an independent investigation of alleged wrongdoing by government official

25 Archibald Cox Archibald Cox, Harvard Law Professor, took post and ask for tapes Nixon refused and ordered him fired weekend of October 20, 1973 Triggered series of resignations and firings became known as “Saturday Night Massacre”

26 An Administration in Jeopardy After Cox’s firing Time Magazine stated Nixon should resign approval rate plummeted Cox’s replacement, Leon Jaworski, also ask for tapes received an edited transcript without most damaging evidence even this content angered people

27 No Vice President Early Oct VP Spiro Agnew resigned Early Oct VP Spiro Agnew resigned accused of evading income tax and taking bribes accused of evading income tax and taking bribes Nixon named Gerald R. Ford, House minority leader, VP Nixon named Gerald R. Ford, House minority leader, VP two months, until Senate confirmed Ford two months, until Senate confirmed Ford President in trouble and no VP President in trouble and no VP

28 Impeachment Ahead ? Congress had begun impeachment process bringing charges of misconduct against a government official July 1974 House Judiciary Committee held hearings to determine if grounds for impeachment debate televised, 21 Democrats – 17 Republicans ViewImages&k=2&d=6E41E83E90A345BD9F785EA5CE 96DE6AA55A1E4F32AD3138

29 House Votes House Judiciary Committee voted to impeach President on charges of obstruction of justice, abuse of power, and refusal to obey Congressional Order to turn over tapes To remove him Majority of Full House would have to vote for impeachment and Senate would hold a trial

30 Nixon Resigns Aug 5 finally obeyed Supreme Court ruling and released tapes Gap of 18.5 minutes tape had been erased = clear evidence of Nixon’s involvement 3 days later Nixon announced on TV he would leave office the next day A.jpg ResignsNYT488.gif

31 Ford Sworn In Resigned Aug 9, 1974 First President to do so Resigned Aug 9, 1974 First President to do so VP Gerald Ford sworn in same day VP Gerald Ford sworn in same day To avoid dividing country and taking focus from vital issues To avoid dividing country and taking focus from vital issues Ford pardoned Nixon one month later Ford pardoned Nixon one month later Watergate a low point in U.S. political history but proved strength of U.S. constitutional system, especially its balance of power Watergate a low point in U.S. political history but proved strength of U.S. constitutional system, especially its balance of power

32 Mark Felt May 31, 2005 May 31, 2005 The Washington Post confirms that W. Mark Felt, a former number-two official at the FBI, was Deep Throat, after Vanity Fair magazine identified the 91-year- old Felt, now a retiree in California, as the long-anonymous Watergate source The Washington Post confirms that W. Mark Felt, a former number-two official at the FBI, was Deep Throat, after Vanity Fair magazine identified the 91-year- old Felt, now a retiree in California, as the long-anonymous Watergate source