Watergate scandal

Government Exhibit 133, Chapstick Tubes with Hidden Microphones - NARA - 304967

Transistor radio used in the Watergate break-in

Walkie-talkie used in Watergate break-in, circa 1970's

Watergate filing cabinets at DNC HQ

Address Book of Watergate Burglar Bernard Barker, Discovered in a Room at the Watergate Hotel, June 18, 1972 - NARA - 304966

Watergate garage with historic marker

Watergate Scandal

The Watergate Scandal was a major political scandal in the United States that occurred in the early 1970s. It stemmed from a break-in at the Democratic National Committee (DNC) headquarters at the Watergate office complex in Washington, D.C. on June 17, 1972, and the Nixon administration's subsequent attempts to cover up its involvement. The scandal led to the discovery of multiple abuses of power by the Nixon administration, an impeachment process against President Richard Nixon, and his resignation on August 9, 1974.

Background

The origins of the Watergate scandal date back to the intense political rivalry that characterized the 1960s and early 1970s. After narrowly winning the presidency in 1968, Nixon was determined to secure a more substantial victory in the 1972 election. To achieve this, the Nixon campaign engaged in a series of covert operations against its political opponents, collectively known as "Nixon's dirty tricks." These operations were carried out by members of the Committee to Re-elect the President (CRP), also pejoratively known as "CREEP."

The Break-in

On the night of June 17, 1972, five men were arrested inside the DNC headquarters at the Watergate complex. They were caught wiretapping phones and stealing documents. Investigations revealed that the break-in was not an isolated incident but part of a broader campaign of political espionage and sabotage on behalf of the Nixon re-election campaign.

Cover-up and Investigation

Following the arrest of the burglars, the Nixon administration engaged in a complex cover-up to hide its involvement. This included hush money to the burglars, destruction of evidence, and using government agencies to obstruct the investigation. In 1973, the cover-up started to unravel due to the testimonies of former staff members and the revelation of audio recordings that Nixon had made of his Oval Office conversations.

Impact

The Watergate scandal had a profound impact on American politics and society. It led to the indictment of 69 people, with 48 being found guilty and incarcerated. It also resulted in the resignation of several Nixon administration officials, including Attorney General John Mitchell, Chief of Staff H.R. Haldeman, and Domestic Affairs Assistant John Ehrlichman.

The scandal fundamentally shook the public's trust in the presidency and led to legislative reforms intended to improve transparency and accountability in government, including the Freedom of Information Act amendments.

Nixon's Resignation

The climax of the scandal was the resignation of President Nixon on August 9, 1974, after the House Judiciary Committee passed articles of impeachment against him. Nixon was the first and, to date, the only U.S. president to resign from office. His resignation was a direct result of the Watergate scandal and the imminent threat of removal from office through the impeachment process.

Aftermath

In the aftermath of the scandal, President Gerald Ford, who succeeded Nixon, issued a controversial pardon to Nixon, absolving him of any crimes he might have committed against the United States as president. This pardon was widely criticized and is thought to have contributed to Ford's defeat in the 1976 presidential election.

The Watergate scandal remains one of the darkest chapters in American political history, symbolizing the dangers of political corruption and the importance of accountability and transparency in government.