The Unmaking of a President

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The Unmaking of a President

• "I hereby resign the Office of President of the
  United States."
• --Richard M. Nixon, August 9, 1974

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Scandal at the White House

• CREEP (Committee to Reelect the President).
  Accepted illegal contributions. Financed dirty
  tricksto discredit the Democratic opposition.
• White House officials used the IRS to harass
  administration enemies.
• Nixons Vice-presidential papers. Tax scandal.

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The Biggie

• 1972 break-in at the Watergate Apartments to
  steal documents and bug the offices of the
  Democratic National headquarters.

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Key Points

• Washington Post investigation. Deep throat.
• The tapes. Court rules on executive privilege.
• US v. Nixon (1974)

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• Impeachment proceedings.
• Thirty people including cabinet officials were
  found guilty and given prison sentences.
• Ford pardons Nixon.

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Significance.

• Freedom of the press worked.
• The two-party system worked.
• Checks and balances worked.
• Government by law worked.
• Powers of the presidency were weakened and
  congressional power strengthened.
• A reform era was ushered in.

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