The First Time Ever, So Far!

Forty-four years ago tonight, August 8, 1974, at 9:01 p.m.,  the President of the United States Richard M. Nixon addressed the American public from the Oval Office.  The speech was carried live on radio and television.  The purpose of the speech was to announce his resignation.  It was the  first time ever in U.S. history, and the only time so far,  for a president to step down before his term was over.   

Nixon faced almost certain impeachment over the Watergate scandal.  His popular support had evaporated, especially after the release on August 5, 1974 of several taped Oval Office conversations, one of which indicated that Nixon had thwarted the two-year Watergate investigation.  His political support also collapsed. Two days after the release of the tapes Nixon met with Republican congressional leaders and was told his presidency was effectively over.  

I remember watching and listening to Nixon’s speech on TV.  I remember the long-drawn-out Watergate investigation.  I recall the shenanigans  perpetrated by his sidekicks to protect “their man.”  I remember his own antics and his fabrications of truth.  A year before announcing his resignation, Nixon  ordered the firing of Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox in what is known as the “Saturday Night Massacre.”  Attorney General Eliot Richardson refused to obey and he was fired.  Richardson’s deputy, William Ruckelshaus also refused and was fired.  Robert Bork bowed down and did Nixon’s bidding to obstruct justice. (Can you believe that Bork was later nominated by Reagan to be a Supreme Court Justice?)  Even so, two years later—justice prevailed and Nixon stepped down, but never once did he concede to doing any thing wrong, or to  any criminal behavior, nor did he apologize for any of his actions.

Nixon was a nasty person who threw others under the bus to cover his own deceit.  He corrupted the presidency and a large majority (including the Congress) stood by and let it happen—even reelecting him for a second term in 1972! 

Please read this footnote:  A presidential pardon of Richard M. Nixon was issued a month after his resignation speech (September 8, 1974) by President of the United States Gerald Ford, which granted Nixon a full and unconditional pardon for any crimes he might have committed against the United States while president.