Rabin in His Own Words

On August 9, 1974, Richard Nixon became the first sitting President of the United States to resign from office. His resignation came as a culmination of events stemming from the Watergate scandal, which had severely damaged his presidency and public trust.

Nixon's presidency spanned from 1969 to 1974, covering significant events such as the Vietnam War and various domestic policies. However, the shadow of the Watergate scandal ultimately overshadowed his tenure and distorted the public's perception of his administration.

Nixon's administration was marked by the secret recording of over 3,700 hours of conversations intended for historical documentation. This decision backfired dramatically when the tapes were revealed, leading to a significant controversy surrounding their content.

The Watergate scandal began with the break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters and led to Nixon's eventual resignation. The investigation uncovered widespread abuse of power by Nixon and his administration, culminating in public outrage and political fallout.

In 1982, John Ehrlichman expressed his worries about how historians might interpret Nixon's recordings. He feared that snippets of tape might lead to a misleading understanding of Nixon's complex persona and legacy.

In 1983, Nixon reflected on the nature of the recordings, admitting that having everything voice-activated was probably a poor decision. This acknowledgment hinted at his regret over the transparency that the tapes provided into his presidency.

Nixon's private comments revealed his controversial views on the anti-war movement and Vietnam veterans. He expressed disdain for demonstrators and labeled veteran John Kerry as a 'phony,' showcasing a significant divide between his administration and public sentiment.

Nixon's increasing animosity towards the media became evident as he declared the press to be the enemy. This hostility elongated into actions to discredit journalists and attempts to undermine their credibility, particularly concerning the Pentagon Papers.

Faced with pressure to nominate a female Supreme Court Justice, Nixon privately hoped to avoid that trend. Despite outwardly presenting candidates, he internalized his belief that these nominations would stand out as a significant success in his presidential legacy.

Nixon's groundbreaking trip to China in 1972 marked a significant foreign policy achievement during his presidency. This visit helped to forge a new relationship with China and altered the geopolitical landscape of the time.

Following the Watergate break-in, Nixon and H.R. Haldeman discussed the possibility of providing financial support to those arrested during the incident. Nixon downplayed its significance, believing the situation would eventually fade from public view.

During Senate hearings on July 16, 1973, the existence of secret recording devices in Nixon's office was exposed, which deepened the scandal surrounding Watergate. This revelation contributed heavily to the mounting pressure for his resignation.

Following Nixon's death in 1994, the government initiated the release of the 3,700 hours of taped conversations. This release process culminated in the final installments coming to light on August 20, 2013, providing historians with critical insights into his presidency.