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Watergate: Nixon’s Downfall

Watergate: Nixon’s Downfall. Ch. 24-2. An Imperial Presidency. 1968 – The Executive branch has become the most powerful branch of government; The expansion of presidential power began with T. Roosevelt; FDR continued the expansion during the New Deal and WWII

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Watergate: Nixon’s Downfall

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  1. Watergate: Nixon’s Downfall Ch. 24-2

  2. An Imperial Presidency • 1968 – The Executive branch has become the most powerful branch of government; • The expansion of presidential power began with T. Roosevelt; • FDR continued the expansion during the New Deal and WWII • Nixon wanted to further increase the power of the President

  3. All the President’s Men • Nixon surrounded himself with a small group of loyal advisers: • H.R. Haldeman – White House Chief of Staff • John Ehrlichman – Chief Domestic Adviser • John Mitchell – Attorney General • John Dean – Counsel to the President • Nixon and his advisers came to believe that they were above the law

  4. A Bungled Burglary • June 17, 1972 – Five men are caught breaking into Democratic Party headquarters in the Watergate complex; • The plan was to photograph documents and bug telephones; • James McCord, the group’s leader, was a former CIA agent and security coordinator for the Committee to Reelect the President (CRP)

  5. The Cover-Up Begins • With the President’s knowledge and consent: • Incriminating documents are shredded; • The CIA is asked to urge the FBI to stop its investigation into the burglary; • The CRP pays off the burglars to keep quiet • Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, reporters for the Washington Post continue investigating; • Information uncovered by Woodward & Bernstein links the White House to the burglary; • Their source is an insider nicknamed, “Deep Throat”

  6. The Cover-Up Unravels • James McCord reveals that members of the Nixon administration were involved in the break-in; • The Senate begins an investigation into Watergate: • Nixon fires Dean and announces the resignation of Haldeman and Ehrlichman; • Nixon appears on TV to deny involvement • Officials in the Nixon administration are called to testify before a Senate special committee

  7. The Nixon Tapes • During his Senate testimony, Dean reveals that Nixon was deeply involved in the cover-up • Presidential Aide, Alexander Butterfield, reveals that Nixon taped virtually all presidential conversations • A battle for the “Nixon Tapes” follows; • More Nixon administration officials resign or are fired, including the V.P., Spiro Agnew • Gerald Ford is confirmed as the new V.P.

  8. U.S. v. Nixon • July, 1974 - The Supreme Court determines that Nixon must hand over the White House tapes; • Nixon claims “executive privilege” and that handing over the tapes may endanger national security; • Court says there is no executive privilege when there is evidence of criminal activity

  9. Nixon Resigns • March 1974 – Seven presidential aids are indicted on charges of conspiracy, obstruction of justice and perjury • July 27, 1974 – The Senate committee approves three articles of impeachment against Nixon for obstruction, abuse of power and contempt • August 5, 1974 – Nixon releases the tapes which contain evidence that Nixon had known and agreed to the cover-up plan. • August 8, 1974 – Nixon become the 1st president to resign from office

  10. The Legacy of Watergate • 25 members of Nixon’s administration are convicted and sent to prison. • Nixon is pardoned by President Ford • People are disillusioned with their government and with the “imperial presidency” • Lingering cynicism/distrust in the media and with the American public • Congress acts to curb the power of the President • Halt funding of the bombing in Cambodia • War Powers Act – limits the president’s freedom in initiating foreign wars

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