Gerald ford's pardon to richard nixon
One of the most famous out of all the controversial pardons would be President Gerald Ford’s pardon to President Nixon. Nixon was accused to be part of a huge political event called the Watergate Scandal during 1972's presidential election, wiretapping the Democratic Party’s convention and later using his presidential power to cover up during federal investigation of the whole event. To alleviate the public outcry and avoid impeachment after the scandal was unraveled by the media, Nixon resigned from his presidency. There was a lot of evidence to prove that Nixon was guilty, including all the tapes he held and the checks of payment with his signature. However on September 8th, 1974, his successor, Gerald Ford, granted Nixon a full and unconditional pardon and therefore no criminal charges were to be put against Nixon. Many people started to protest against this unjustified pardon, arguing that there was so much evidence that could prove Nixon guilty and he should be held accountable for what he did. It seems that Nixon probably got pardoned because of his status and his connection to President Ford, since most of the other people involved in the scandal did not get a pardon. Public opinion against this pardon was also reflected by the sliding approval rating for President Ford after he announced the pardon to Nixon. Also, it is clearly shown in this case that President Ford used his power to pardon irresponsibly.
|
"Finally, I feel that Richard Nixon and his loved ones have suffered enough and will continue to suffer, no matter what I do, no matter what we, as a great and good nation, can do together to make his goal of peace come true. Now, therefore, I, Gerald R. 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 have committed or taken part in during the period from July (January) 20, 1969, through August 9, 1974."
-- Gerald Ford, President of the United States |
"I regret deeply any injuries that may have been done in the course of the events that led to this decision. I would say only that if some of my judgments were wrong, and some were wrong, they were made in what I believed at the time to be the best interest of the Nation.To those who have stood with me during these past difficult months, to my family, my friends, to many others who joined in supporting my cause because they believed it was right, I will be eternally grateful for your support."
-- Richard M. Nixon, President of the United States
-- Richard M. Nixon, President of the United States
Do you think that Ford's pardon of Nixon was justified? Professor Garrett Epps answers this question in the recording to the right.
|
|
"This was a violation of the oath Ford and I took. We both took the same oath: Uphold the Constitution. We are all under the law. But Nixon got away. How could I defend that?" -- Jerald terHorst, Ford’s press secretary who resigned after the Nixon pardon, in a 2009 interview |