Unit 9

The Watergate Scandal Chapter 28 Section 2

The Roots of Watergate Bob Woodward Reporter for the Washington Post Asked to cover a small but weird incident Five men had broken into the Democratic National Committee in the Watergate Office Complex Judge asked the men what their occupation was and one replied that he was retired from the government and worked for the CIA Why would a former CIA man be involved in a burglary?

The Roots of Watergate Mounting a Reelection Fight Nixon administration tried to cover up the involvement in the break in Nixon had fought hard to become president Loss to JFK, Nixon became president when our society was suffering Vietnam war was still going on during Nixon’s reelection time and the Republicans decided to spy on as many opposition rallies and spread rumors and false reports about the democrats Nixon’s administration also ordered five men to break into the Democratic Party’s Headquarters They were to steal any campaign information, wiretap the phone lines,

The Roots of Watergate The Cover-Up Begins The media discovered that James McCord was not only CIA but he was also a member on the Committee for the Re-Election of the President White House officials began destroying evidence Nixon’s Administration asked the CIA to stop the FBI’s investigation because it threatened national security Many people believed Nixon had nothing to do with the break-in

The Cover-Up Unravels A Summer of Shocking Testimony John Dean (counsel to the President) testified that former Attorney General Mitchell had ordered the Watergate Break-in and Nixon had played an active role in the cover up White House Aid Alexander Butterfield testified that Nixon had ordered a taping system installed in the White house For his memoirs he would later write Is Nixon going to hand over the tapes with no problems?

The Cover-Up Unravels The Case of the Tapes Nixon refused to hand over the tapes saying it was executive privilege Principle that White House conversations should remain confidential to protect national security Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox (government lawyer appointed by the president) Ordered Nixon to hand over the tapes Nixon ordered Attorney General Richardson to fire Cox but he refused and the Attorney General resigned Nixon ordered Richardson’s deputy to fire Cox and the deputy resigned Cox was finally fired but this incident badly damaged Nixon’s reputation with the public

The Cover-Up Unravels Nixon Resigns President Nixon appointed a new Special Prosecutor from Texas who was less interested in obtaining the tapes July – The Supreme Court ruled that Nixon had to hand over the tapes The House Judiciary Committee voted to impeach Nixon or charge him with misconduct Obstructing Justice Misusing federal agencies to violate the rights of citizens Defying the authority of Congress by refusing to deliver tapes and other materials

The Cover-Up Unravels Nixon Resigns Before the House votes on whether or not to impeach Nixon investigators found undeniable evidence against Nixon The tapes proved that Nixon had ordered the CIA to stop the FBI’s investigation Nixon knew impeachment was coming so he resigned and Ford stepped in as president

The Cover-Up Unravels The Impact of Watergate President Ford urged people to put Watergate behind them President Ford announced he would fully pardon Nixon for any crimes that he committed while being president Federal Campaign Act Amendments – Controlled the President’s Power Limited campaign contributions and established an independent agency to administer stricter election laws Congress also established a means for appointing an independent counsel to investigate and prosecute wrongdoings by government officials

The Cover-Up Unravels The Impact of Watergate Many Americans had a deep distrust of public officials Hard times are ahead for the United States