The Watergate Scandal. Nixon had small loyal group of advisers that would do anything for him. These men were H. R. Haldeman (White House chief of staff), John Ehrlichman (chief domestic adviser), and John Mitchell (Nixon’s former attorney general). These advisers helped create the Committee to Reelect the President. They devised a plan that involved breaking into the Democratic Headquarters to steal the plans for the Democratic campaign. They break into Democratic headquarters, but they are caught by law enforcement. The Watergate scandal was the administration’s attempt to cover up break-in, making it appear like a simple robbery. The public believed this until two Washington Post reporters began to tie loose ends, and came to the conclusion the government was involved. Nixon is then reelected with little public interest in the allegations. Despite this Judge John Sirica does not believe the burglars acted alone, and one of the burglars admits to lying under oath and claims that some of Nixon's advisers were involved. Nixon then dismissed White House counsel John Dean; others resign. Dean then declared that Nixon was involved in the Watergate cover-up and Alexander Butterfield says that he can prove Dean's accusation, if Congress listens to Nixon's secret tapes. He is simply accusing Nixon of taping conversations in the White House illegally and without consent. Senator Samuel J. Ervin is then tasked with leading the investigative committee. Soon after was the Saturday Night Massacre, which was the series of officials that Nixon fired or resigned because Nixon refused to give up his tapes. This includes Vice President Spiro Agnew, who admitted to taking bribes, and resigned. Ford is then sworn in as the Vice President. Soon after 7 presidential aides are charged for their crimes. After this and pressure from Congress Nixon gave up edited transcripts to be analyze. This angered many people and Nixon was finally pressured to release the tapes. Nixon then resigns, but he is pardoned by his chosen successor Gerald Ford. In the end 25 members of Nixon's Administration are convicted and serve prison terms. The event severely damaged the long-running trust the American people had put in their government.
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