The Watergate Scandal On June 17, five suspected burglars entered the Democratic National Committee(D.N.C) in the Watergate building in Washington D.C. They were quickly arrested after the entry and were accused of stealing secret papers and wiretapping. When the press caught wind of this, they published an article in The Washington Post accusing government officials who affiliated with the Nixon party of being in on the robbery.
Nixon was believed to have given "hush money" to the burglars in order to take the papers. One of the five men, was James W. McCord, Jr; he was the secretary chief for the board of the reelection of President Nixon. When the investigation was still going on, Nixon continued his campaign trail and won the reelection. Nixon’s former secretary chief was subsided and charged for wiretapping and burglary, while five other plead guilty to their indictments. The Watergate Scandal showcased the abuse of presidential power; some of the members of his secretly was placed under pressure and revealed that Nixon would record all his Oval Office meetings. The House of Representatives held a meeting where they voted on whether or not to impeach the president. President Nixon released all the tapes on August 5. Nixon, however, resigned before his impeachment hearing could go underway. And though, Nixon was indicted he was never put on trial because President Ford pardoned him. The effects of the Watergate Scandal can still be seen in America today. It has left Americans distrusting of their government and questioning what other possible secrets their government could be hiding from them. |
Watergate Hotel and Office BuildingNixon's Resignation Hits The MediaSuspects From Watergate Scandal |