Final answer:
President Warren Harding's term saw significant scandals such as kickbacks in the Veterans Bureau and the Teapot Dome Scandal, although Harding was personally not directly involved. His choice of advisors and friends, known as the 'Ohio Gang', brought corruption into his administration, and he is criticized for failing to act upon his knowledge of their misconduct.
Step-by-step explanation:
The scandals rampant during President Warren Harding's administration raise questions about his responsibility for the corruption that took place during his term. Harding was not directly involved in the scandals, although as president, he surrounded himself with unscrupulous advisers and friends from the Ohio Gang, which led to many unethical actions. The first major scandal was the revelation that the head of the Veterans Bureau was involved in kickbacks and misuse of funds, which Harding allowed to resign without immediate consequence. The Teapot Dome Scandal, involving Secretary of the Interior Albert Fall, became particularly notorious when Fall was convicted of accepting bribes to allow drilling on public land.
Despite not being personally dishonest, Harding's legacy was marred by these events, and there were indications that he was aware of the misconduct but failed to act decisively to prevent it. A president today would likely be held responsible for comparable oversight, as the expectation is that a president must ensure ethical conduct within the administration. The fallout from scandals can affect both public trust and the legal outcomes for those involved.