Answer: During the Watergate scandal, which involved a series of illegal activities conducted by members of President Richard Nixon's administration, including the attempted cover-up of a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters, Nixon faced mounting criticism from the public, the media, and political opponents. His response to the growing criticism evolved over time and can be summarized as follows:
- Denial: Initially, President Nixon and his administration vehemently denied any involvement in the Watergate break-in or the subsequent cover-up. Nixon maintained that he had no knowledge of the illegal activities and sought to distance himself from the scandal.
- Stonewalling: As the investigation progressed and more evidence came to light, Nixon's administration adopted a strategy of stonewalling and resisting full cooperation with the authorities and Congress. This included invoking executive privilege to withhold information and refusing to release crucial White House tapes to investigators.
- Attempt to Halt Investigations: Nixon attempted to halt the investigation by ordering the dismissal of special prosecutor Archibald Cox in an event known as the "Saturday Night Massacre" in October 1973. This move backfired and led to further public outrage and criticism.
- Release of Partial Transcripts: In an effort to address the criticism and public demands for transparency, President Nixon agreed to release edited transcripts of some of the White House tapes in April 1974. However, the transcripts were heavily redacted, leading to accusations of attempting to hide incriminating evidence.
- Impeachment Proceedings: As the evidence against Nixon continued to mount, the House Judiciary Committee initiated formal impeachment proceedings against him in July 1974. Facing the likelihood of impeachment and removal from office, Nixon's political support in Congress began to erode.
- Resignation: Faced with the near-certainty of impeachment and potential removal from office, President Nixon announced his decision to resign on August 8, 1974. He became the first U.S. president to resign from office.
Following his resignation, President Nixon was succeeded by Vice President Gerald Ford, who granted him a full pardon for any crimes he might have committed while in office. Nixon's resignation and the Watergate scandal had a profound impact on American politics and public trust in the government.
Overall, President Nixon's responses to the growing criticism during the Watergate scandal ranged from denial and stonewalling to attempts to control the investigation. However, the weight of evidence and the threat of impeachment ultimately led to his resignation from the presidency.