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Watergate: Nixon’s Downfall. How does the Watergate cover up lead to Nixon’s downfall?. All The President’s Men :. John Mitchell Former Atty General – Head of CREEP. HR Haldeman Chief of Staff. John Ehrlichman– Domestic Policy Advisor. John Dean White House Counsel.
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Watergate:Nixon’s Downfall How does the Watergate cover up lead to Nixon’s downfall?
All The President’s Men: John Mitchell Former Atty General – Head of CREEP HR Haldeman Chief of Staff John Ehrlichman– Domestic Policy Advisor John Dean White House Counsel Charles Colson- Special Counsel to President Howard Hunt CIA
Break in at the DNC • After Pentagon Papers, Nixon advisor Howard Hunt creates “The Plumbers” covert group that finds political “leaks” • John Ehrlichman authorizes break-in of Daniel Ellsberg’s office • June 17th, 1972: Burglars are caught trying to “bug” the Democrats’ HQ at the Watergate hotel • The Press learns that the group’s leader James McCord worked for CREEP (Committee to RE-Elect the President)
The Cover Up • Chief of Staff HR Haldeman informs President of break-in & suggests a cover up • Shred all documents pertaining to break-in • Use CREEP money to buy burglars silence • Ask FBI to stop investigation (national security) • Only media covering the story are two Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward & Carl Bernstein • 1972 election Nixon wins in a landslide Clip question #1: What makes Woodward think the White House knows about the break-in?
Cover-up Unravels • More and more details come out linking White House officials to the break-in • As the burglars are about to go on trial, James McCord admits that he originally lied about the break-in • Woodward & Bernstein are being fed more information by an informant at the White House code named “Deep Throat” • They Find out top level Nixon officials involved with cover-up Clip #2: What does Deep Throat tell Woodward about Chief of Staff HR Haldeman? What does Woodward & Bernstein’s editor tell them? 2008: Washington Post has confirmed that Mark Felt, a former top FBI official, was Deep Throat
White House Tapes • CREEP director John Mitchell resigns, Haldeman & Ehrlicman are forced to resign for their role in the cover-up • Nixon fires WH counsel John Dean • Senate begins an investigation, Dean reveals President knew of the cover up, White House denies accusations • Later revelaed that there was a taping system in the Oval Office • Senate demands Nixon turn over tapes, Nixon claims innocence
Nixon v. US • Nixon refuses to give up tapes cites “executive privilege” • Sp Prosecutor Archibald Cox takes Nixon to court over tapes • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5AndvL7Y9k • Clip: What was the Saturday Night Massacre? • VP Spiro Agnew resigns due to tax evasion issues • New SP Jaworski takes case to Supreme Court – SC forces Nixon to hand over tapes • Despite 18 minute missing gap, tapes show Nixon knew of cover-up – House begins impeachment proceedings
Downfall of a President • Vice President Gerald Ford sworn in as President • August 9th, 1974 Nixon resigns the Presidency