Richard nixon became the thirtyseventh president of the united states on january 20, 1969 and was reelected in 1972 for a. Becker is a former department of justice trial attorney and u. Newly inaugurated gerald ford pardons his predecessor richard nixon in the wake of the watergate scandal. Given by gerald ford, the president at that point in time, the pardon of richard nixon removed all punishment towards richard nixon as a result of nixon s attempt to steal information from the democratic party at watergate. Oct 23, 2008 newly inaugurated gerald ford pardons his predecessor richard nixon in the wake of the watergate scandal. Concurrent resolution expressing the sense of congress. Notorious presidential pardons nearing the end of his tenure as president, george w. Pardons granted by president richard nixon 19691974 date name district. Today in history september 8 1974 ford pardons nixon. The original documents are located in box 2, folder nixon pardon beckers. 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. 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. Sep 06, 2019 ford pardons nixon bettmann archivegetty images in a controversial executive action, president gerald ford pardons his disgraced predecessor richard m.
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. Ford pardons nixon bettmann archivegetty images in a controversial executive action, president gerald ford pardons his disgraced predecessor. Richard nixon became the thirtyseventh president of the united states on january 20, 1969 and was reelected in 1972 for a second term by the electors of fortynine of the fifty states. Kennedy library foundation presented its 2001 profile in courage award to gerald ford for his 1974 pardon of nixon. 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. I was reading the constitution earlier today, and came across the clause allowing the president the power to pardon except in cases of impeachment. Dec 27, 2006 gerald ford hoped that pardoning nixon would soothe the wounds of anger and distrust inflicted on the nation by watergate. Ford granted a full, free, and absolute pardon to former president richard nixon covering his entire term in office. According to the history books, nixon could have been impeached, but he resigned, and ford pardoned him. Ford, president of the united states, pursuant to the pardon power conferred upon me by article ii, section 2, of the constitution, have granted and by these presents do grant a full, free, and absolute pardon unto richard nixon for all offenses against the united states which he, richard nixon, has committed or may. Ford delivering the televised address in which he announces the pardon of nixon. Today in history september 8 1974, in a controversial executive action, president gerald ford pardons his disgraced predecessor richard m. Benton becker played an important role in president fords decision to pardon former president richard nixon in 1974. Ford granted a pardon to former president richard m.
Ford looks better than ever two essential benefits were the presidents admission of guilt and the preservation of white house records. Miller has had trouble discussing watergate with nixon, who does not want to discuss it and certainly. Nixon who had resigned just a month earlier for any crimes he may have committed during the watergate breakin and coverup. Ford pardons nixon on this date in 1974, president gerald ford granted former president richard nixon an unconditional pardon. Dec, 2011 how the nixon pardon strained a presidential friendship. It remains the pardon others have been measured against, as.
On this day in 1974, president gerald ford pardoned richard nixon, his predecessor, for any crimes. Terhorst told the press hed been advised that nixon hadnt issued. Apr 16, 2014 granting a pardon to richard nixon september 8, 1974. Nixon, has committed or may have committed or taken part in during the period from july 20, 1969 through august 9, 1974. President ford addressed the nation to announce that he would grant a full, free, and absolute pardon to former president nixon. Bushs pardon of the irancontra defendants, bill clintons lastminute series of pardons and george w. President ford pardons richard nixon, sept 8, 1974 politico. Buchen tells miller that ford is considering pardoning nixon see august 30, 1974. On the evening of august 8, 1974, president nixon addressed the nation and.
President ford s september 8, 1974, pardon proclamation granted full clemency to richard m. If you think any of the information displayed in the pdf is subject to a valid claim. Remarks by gerald ford on taking the oath of office as president. I asked my schools civics teacher about this specific case, and he confused me even. The presidents resignation letter is addressed to secretary of state henry kissinger, who initialed it at 11. Nixon for all offenses against the united states which he, richard nixon, has committed or may have committed or taken part in during the period from january 20, 1969, through august 9, 1974.
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. Analyzing a letter about ford pardoning nixon docsteach. The proclamation granted nixon a pardon for all offenses from january 20, 1969, the day he was first inaugurated as president. On september 8, 1974, president ford issued a full and absolute pardon of nixon for all offenses against the united states, making nixon immune from any arrest, investigation, or imprisonment from his involvement in watergate. 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. On september 8, 1974, the new president, gerald ford, issued a full pardon to the. Nixon and the nation further punishment in the watergate scandals. Ford, who announced the pardon on live television on sept. On the evening of august 8, 1974, president nixon addressed the nation and announced his intention to resign. How the nixon pardon tore the ford administration apart.
President gerald ford addressed the nation from the oval office and pardoned former president richard nixon on sept. Full text transcript and video clip of gerald ford s speech on the pardon of richard nixon, delivered from the oval office at washington d. Professor greene spoke about the days leading up to the pardon and president fords september, 8th 1974 address to the nation. List of 14 questions ford faces on nixon pardon the new. To mark the 50th anniversary of the end of project blue book, the national. He cited the likelihood of the controversy going on and harming the. Granting a pardon to richard nixon september 8, 1974.
Richard nixon, 1974 notorious presidential pardons time. Nixon had a history of phlebitis, which can be fatal even if treated. Feb 14, 2011 this is a question about the watergate scandal. On september 8, 1974, ford delivered a 10minute address to the nation, which he. He made a television address on september 8, 1974 to give his reasons for the pardon proclamation. Ford pardons nixon 1974 today in history 8 sept 16. President gerald ford signs a document granting former president richard m. Nixon pardon defined ford presidency december 27, 2006 2. Miller is not sure nixon wants a pardon, with its implication of guilt see september 2, 1974. President fords september 8, 1974, pardon proclamation granted full clemency to richard m.
Ford s proclamation 4311, granting a pardon to richard nixon. Gerald ford, the nixon pardon, and the rise of the right. September 30, 1974, and that it was abrolutely necessary for. President ford pardons richard nixon, sept 8, 1974. Sep 07, 2016 on september 8, 1974, president gerald r. Nixon for any crimes he may have committed or participated in while in office. 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. In pardoning nixon, said the foundation, ford placed his love of country ahead of his own political future and brought needed closure to the divisive watergate affair. Famous pardons include andrew johnsons pardon of confederate soldiers, george h. Analyzing a letter about ford pardoning nixon focusing on details. If you think any of the information displayed in the pdf is subject to a valid claim, please.
Concurrent resolution expressing the sense of congress that president ford should grant a pardon to otto kerner, jr. In pardoning nixon, said the foundation, ford placed. After winning the primary and having a great convention in july 1976, ford rebounded and carter turned out to be a unremarkable candidate. Ford later defended this action before the house judiciary committee, explaining that he wanted to end the national divisions created by the watergate scandal. In 1974, president gerald ford pardoned richard nixon for his role in watergate.
Nearing the end of his tenure as president, george w. Gerald ford hoped that pardoning nixon would soothe the wounds of anger and distrust inflicted on the nation by watergate. On september 8, 1974, ford delivered a 10minute address to the nation, which he believed, or at least hoped, would put the. Ford, nixons vice president, assumed the presidency on aug. How the nixon pardon strained a presidential friendship. Fords proclamation 4311, granting a pardon to richard nixon september 8, 1974 by the president of the united states of america a proclamation richard nixon became the thirtyseventh president of the united states on january 20, 1969 and was reelected in 1972 for a second term by the electors of fortynine of.
Oct 01, 1974 list of questions about pardon of former pres nixon that pres ford has agreed to answer personally before hr subcom. David greenberg provides an excellent history of historians depictions of nixon as liberal in richard the bleeding hearted, 30 revs. Ford gives pardon to nixon, who regrets my mistakes. He calls watergate and nixon s travails an american tragedy in which we have all played a part. Ford pardons nixon the scoop on historyapush and more. Nixon for all offenses against the united states which he, richard nixon, has committed or may have committed or taken part in during the period from january 20, 1969, through august 9. Given by gerald ford, the president at that point in time, the pardon of richard nixon removed all punishment towards richard nixon as a result of nixons attempt to steal information from the democratic party at watergate. In this activity, students will analyze a document sent from a child to president gerald ford in 1974. Nixon was pardoned by president ford on september 8, 1974. The next morning, white house chief of staff alexander haig presented this letter to president nixon to sign. Dec 27, 2006 nixon pardon defined ford presidency december 27, 2006 2. By the president of the united states of america a proclamation.
In 1974, president fords pardon of richard nixon before he could be prosecuted in the watergate scandal shocked the country. 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. I asked my schools civics teacher about this specific case, and he confused me even more by. President gerald ford appears before the house judiciary subcommittee hearing on pardoning former president richard nixon, october 17, 1974. Time takes a look at some of the most controversial pardons of past presidencies. Anthony ferreira wrote to the president to express his opinion regarding the pardon of richard nixon. On august 9, 1974, the day ford had been sworn in, aides to leon jaworski, then the special prosecutor in the watergate case, had drafted a. Nixon is just one of many controversial pardons in u. How the nixon pardon tore the ford administration apart politico. View homework help hist 101 nixon pardon intellapath from hist 101 at colorado technical university.
Sep 08, 2015 1974 ford pardons nixon posted on september 8, 2015 september 5, 2015 by sleepykisses in a controversial executive action, president gerald ford pardons his disgraced predecessor richard nixon for any crimes he may have committed or participated in while in office. He could have, though i wouldnt go as far as to say he would have. In a dramatic, daybyday account of the new administrations inner workings, werth shows how ford, caught. Some charged that the pardon was part of an agreement reached with ford when nixon left office. Ford, president of the united states, pursuant to the pardon power conferred upon me by article ii, section 2, of the constitution, have granted and by these presents do grant a full, free, and absolute pardon unto richard nixon for all offenses against the united states which he, richard nixon, has committed or. The documents will be a necessary source for the biography.
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