1. Incident Five men break into the Democratic National Committee Headquarters at the Watergate hotel To wiretap phones (in 1970s, who had that technology?) Members of CREEP $$$ in pockets Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein were assigned to investigate the Watergate affair for the Washington Post “Deep Throat”, the Washington Post’s unnamed source, aids the reporters in their investigation “Follow the money”

2. Trial of Burglars Found guilty Judge reads letter from defendant that says: Perjury has been committed Hush money has been paid Significant others are involved Nixon--??? (Is he involved?)

3. Senate Committee Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities is formed Findings: Used IRS against enemies Ordered CIA to spy on Americans Had people throw stink bombs at Democratic rallies Stole medical records from psychiatrist’s office to discredit Daniel Ellsberg (Pentagon Papers) *Nixon ordered cover up

4. Nixon Response White House issues statement denying the President had prior knowledge of the event However, White House staff members (Haldeman, Ehrilichman, and Dean) resign due to their involvement in the affair Press conference “I am not a crook” Hires special investigator/prosecutor—Archibald Cox President Nixon refuses to hand over White House/Oval Office tapes as required by a subpoena from Cox. (White House Taping System) Claim of Executive Privilege used as reason for refusal to turn over tapes Instead offers edited transcripts of tapes

5. VP Spiro Agnew Forced to resign for tax evasion and bribery (as governor of Maryland) Speaker of the House Gerald Ford is chosen as new VP (required approval from BOTH houses of Congress) Found that Nixon also evade taxes (agrees to pay back money) Also, Nixon used public money to redecorate/renovate his homes in Miami, FL and San Clemente, CA

6. Saturday Night Massacre Nixon orders Attorney General to fire special investigator/prosecutor (Questions still remain over tapes); he refuses Deputy Attorney General also refuses and resigns Attorney General Elliot Richardson resigns over the firing of Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox who is then fired by Acting Attorney General Robert Bork Eventually found someone to fire Cox

7. Nixon Releases Tapes United States v. Nixon Supreme Court rules unanimously that President Nixon must turn over the Watergate tapes (18 ½ minute section has been erased). Executive Privilege does not apply in this case; evidence involving possible criminal activity cannot be withheld Rosemary Woods comes forward and says she hit the erase button There are other gaps in the tapes

8. “Smoking Gun” Nixon orders CIA to interfere with FBI investigation (reason for “Deep Throat” being involved) Obstruction of Justice

9. Impeachment Charges Senate begins impeachment process for President Nixon. House draws up charges (only majority needed to be impeached); Senate has trial (2/3rds to convict) Charges: Abuse of Power, Obstruction of Justice, Contempt of Congress

10. Conclusion August 1974: President Richard M. Nixon resigns September 1974: President Ford pardons Nixon (Was this the right thing to do?)