Bushs pardon of the irancontra defendants, bill clintons lastminute series of pardons and george w. Fords former chief of staff, james cannon, said ford resisted the word deal when talking about how he came to pardon nixon, but it appeared to him. When president gerald ford pardoned his disgraced predecessor, richard nixon, 40 years ago monday, on sept. Ford granted a full, free, and absolute pardon to former president richard nixon covering his. Famous pardons include andrew johnsons pardon of confederate soldiers, george h. In a controversial executive action, president gerald ford pardons his disgraced predecessor richard m. It follows the full text transcript of gerald ford s speech on the pardon of richard nixon, delivered from the oval office at washington d. The evidence for the power control groups and fordnixons strategy is as follows. Some charged that the pardon was part of an agreement reached with ford when nixon left office. I was reading the constitution earlier today, and came across the clause allowing the president the power to pardon except in cases of impeachment. Shortly after the nixon pardon, ford revealed he was offering conditional amnesty to all draft dodgers and military deserters who fled the country during the vietnam war. How the nixon pardon tore the ford administration apart. In a memo to ford, nixons old friend leonard garment, still the white house counsel, suggested that nixons. But in summer 1977, the steely, cunning former president agreed to sit for one interview to confront the questions of his time in.
Hardball politics in congress gerald ford by rmm4c. Chapter 11, nixon and ford the pardon and the tapes. In 31 days, acclaimed historian barry werth takes readers inside the white house during the tumultuous days of august 1974, following richard nixon s resignation and the swearingin of americas accidental president, gerald ford. Richard nixons resignation letter and gerald fords pardon. It could go on and on and on, or someone must write the end to it. A month later, on september 8, ford stunned the nation by announcing that he was granting nixon a full, free, and absolute pardon for all crimes committed. Nixon for any crimes he may have committed or participated in while in office. In 31 days, acclaimed historian barry werth takes readers inside the white house during the tumultuous days of august 1974, following richard nixons resignation and the swearingin of americas accidental president, gerald ford. Ford pardons nixon 1974 today in history 8 sept 16 youtube. This week september 8 in 1974, president gerald ford, who had become president of the united states in august upon the resignation of richard nixon, announced to the country that he had granted a full, free and absolute pardon unto richard nixon for all offenses nixon committed related to the watergate breakin and coverup, which had led to nixons resignation. The pardon of richard nixon before a trial, before he was even indicted, was the final coverup. Ford pardons nixon on this date in 1974, president gerald ford granted former president richard nixon an unconditional pardon. The pardon of richard nixon formally known as proclamation 4311 was a presidential proclamation issued by president of the united states gerald ford on september 8, 1974.
A more conservative view was expressed by barry goldwater, who charged that fords amnesty plan was a step that is like throwing mud in the faces of the millions of men who had served this. Gerald ford interview pardoning nixon merv griffin show 1979. This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate. This constitutional symposium was the second held on october 20, 2014 and held in conjunction with other similar panel discussions throughout the country. Did gerald ford make the right decision in pardoning nixon. Suspicions arose of a possible deal between ford and nixon in exchange for fords prior nomination to vice president. Ford, nixons vice president, assumed the presidency on aug. Epic freak tragedies galveston, honda point and usair flight 427 and part 3.
John robert greene talked about why president ford pardoned richard nixon, and considered the existence of a deal between the two men. Fords pardon of nixon was an act of courage youtube. In a nationally televised appearance on october 17, 1974, ford admitted that a pardon was one of the many options presented for discussion by nixon s chief of staff, alexander haig. President ford pardons richard nixon, sept 8, 1974. For three years after being forced from office, nixon remained silent.
Nixon was accused to be part of a huge political event called the watergate scandal during 1972s presidential election, wiretapping the democratic partys convention and later using his presidential power to cover up during federal investigation of the whole event. Ford was sworn in as president of the united states on august 9, 1974, after the resignation of nixon. The forums in the christian congregations category are now open only to christian members. One of the most famous out of all the controversial pardons would be president gerald fords pardon to president nixon. Analyzing a letter about ford pardoning nixon apollosoyuz. Ford granted a pardon to former president richard m.
Wally mcnamee corbis despite president fords insistence that he is not considering a pardon for former president richard nixon see september 56, 1974, and fords own denials in his 1976 memoir a time to heal, ford tells his lawyer, robert hartmann, that he and his wife betty have decided that if nixon resigns, ford will likely pardon him for any watergate crimes. Richard nixon, 1974 notorious presidential pardons time. Nixon lawyer, 40 years later, on watergates mysteries capital download. Feb 14, 2011 this is a question about the watergate scandal. A little over a year after he resigned in the wake of watergate, richard nixon received a highly controversial pardon from president gerald ford. Ford pardons nixon new president, gerald ford, pardons nixon for any past criminal transgressions, leaving many feeling a sense of injustice. Ford later defended this action before the house judiciary committee, explaining that he wanted to end the national divisions created by the watergate scandal. The decision to pardon nixon also likely ended fords chances for reelection to the presidency in 1976.
Likewise, frosts team harbored doubts about their boss ability to hold his own. Newly inaugurated gerald ford pardons his predecessor richard nixon in the wake of the watergate scandal. Dec 31, 2006 ford s former chief of staff, james cannon, said ford resisted the word deal when talking about how he came to pardon nixon, but it appeared to him that the nature of the pardon smacked of quid. Oct 15, 2019 on october 17, 1974, president gerald ford explains to congress why he had chosen to pardon his predecessor, richard nixon, rather than allow congress to pursue legal action against the former. It follows the full text transcript of gerald fords speech on the pardon of richard nixon, delivered from the oval office at washington d. According to the history books, nixon could have been impeached, but he resigned, and ford pardoned him. There were allegations and suggestions that nixon had struck a deal with ford before resigning.
Nixon an unconditional pardon today for all federal crimes that he committed or may have committed or taken part in while in office, an act mr. They were presented again to mark the 30th anniversary of president fords testimony about his decision to pardon his predecessor, richard nixon, for all offenses regarding watergate. But the weight of the scandal remained a burden on the white house. On this day in 1974, president gerald ford pardoned richard nixon. Nixon was white house action officer on cuban invasion plans in 1960. President ford explains his pardon of nixon to congress. In a nationally televised appearance on october 17, 1974, ford admitted that a pardon was one of the many options presented for discussion by nixons chief of staff, alexander haig. Sep 06, 2019 ford pardons nixon bettmann archivegetty images in a controversial executive action, president gerald ford pardons his disgraced predecessor richard m. Nixon is the leading premium accessories brand for the youth lifestyle market. Christian members please remember to read the statement of purpose threads for each forum within christian congregations before posting in the forum.
Nixon is just one of many controversial pardons in u. Gerald fords pardon to richard nixon presidential pardons. Ford presidential museum in grand rapids, michigan. A more conservative view was expressed by barry goldwater, who charged that ford s amnesty plan was a step that is like throwing mud in the faces of the millions of men who had served this. Jul 22, 2017 ford, nixons vice president, assumed the presidency on aug. Download a highresolution version of nixons resignation letter and fords pardon from the national archives online public access database. President gerald ford addressed the nation from the oval office and pardoned former president richard nixon on sept. President ford and the pardon of richard nixon panel. By it, ford granted to richard nixon, his predecessor, a full and unconditional pardon for any crimes that he might have committed against the united states as president. Fords announcement of the pardon, one month after taking office, came as a surprise to congress and the country. All that did was tell whoever, dont waste your time indicted nixon, i will pardon whatever you go after him for. The discredited expresident had gotten off scotfree. During his term, president ford made many notable decisions including granting aid and asylum to refugees of the vietnam war.
On september 8, 1974, president gerald ford issued proclamation 4311, which gave disgraced formerpresident nixon a full and unconditional pardon for any crimes he might have committed against the united states while president. Ford presidential foundation hosted a president ford and the pardon of richard nixon panel discussion at the gerald r. On october 17, 1974, president gerald ford explains to congress why he had chosen to pardon his predecessor, richard nixon, rather than allow. Professor greene spoke about the days leading up to the. In a dramatic, daybyday account of the new administrations inner workings, werth shows how ford, caught. Ford looks better than ever two essential benefits were the presidents admission of guilt and the preservation of white house records. Nixon and the nation further punishment in the watergate scandals. President ford pardons richard nixon, sept 8, 1974 politico. Of the nixon family, ford said, theirs is an american tragedy, in which we all have played a part. To mark the 40th anniversary of nixons resignation, the washington post hosted a panel featuring legendary reporters carl bernstein and bob. The pardon became one of the most controversial aspects of the watergate scandal. Pardons granted by president richard nixon 19691974 date name district.
Nixon surprised everyone in selecting frost as his interviewer, intending to easily outfox the breezy british showman and secure a place in the hearts and minds of americans. President ford explains his pardon of nixon to congress history. May 20, 2018 of the nixon family, ford said, theirs is an american tragedy, in which we all have played a part. Today in history september 8 1974, in a controversial executive action, president gerald ford pardons his disgraced predecessor richard m. Richard nixon was granted a full, free and absolute pardon by his successor as president, gerald ford. Ford pardons nixon bettmann archivegetty images in a controversial executive action, president gerald ford pardons his disgraced predecessor.
The pardon was announced by ford on a sunday morning, taking advantage of an offbeat time for washington newsmakers in an attempt to minimize the initial political fallout. Ford and the pcg contemplated pardons for mitchell, haldeman, ehrlichman and possibly others who know the number one secret. I asked my schools civics teacher about this specific case, and he confused me even. Nixon who had resigned just a month earlier for any crimes he may have committed during the watergate breakin and coverup. Ford gives pardon to nixon, who regrets my mistakes. So yes its legal, only because no one challenged it. I asked my schools civics teacher about this specific case, and he confused me even more by. In the case of president nixon, he was granted a pardon by gerald ford in september 1974 for any crimes he might have committed during the watergate scandal, even though nixon wasnt charged with or convicted of federal crimes. Nixon lawyer, 40 years later, on watergates mysteries. Nixon was accused to be part of a huge political event called the watergate scandal during 1972s presidential election, wiretapping the democratic partys convention and later using his presidential power to cover up. We focus on teamdesigned collaborations that appeal to our global community o. I think that nixon felt i was about the only person he could really trust on the hill, ford said during the 2005. Both the decision and its timing came under severe criticism.
Today in history september 8 1974 ford pardons nixon. I have come to a decision which i felt i should tell you and all of my fellow american citizens, as soon as i was certain in my own mind and in my own conscience that it is the right thing to do. But as cameras rolled, a charged battle of wits resulted. Oct 23, 2008 newly inaugurated gerald ford pardons his predecessor richard nixon in the wake of the watergate scandal.