3 Major Speeches Nixon spoke after the Watergate
He made three speeches on the Watergate scandal during 1973 and 1974.
- 1. April 30, 1973- which announced the departure of Dean, Haldeman and Ehrlichman
- 2. August 15, 1973- more defiant
- 3. April 29, 1973- stated that Nixon released partial transcripts of the White House Tapes, this was the most difficult speech, political wise - Elizabeth C.
Obstruction of Justice
Nixon obstructed justice by using his office power to engage in a plan to delay, impede, and cover up, conceal and protect those responsible for the unlawful covert activities. In order for Nixon to implement this plan he needed to include at least one of the 8:
- Making or causing misleading statements to lawfully authorized officers and workers of the United States
- withholding relevant evidence from authorized officers
- approved with respect to give false statements to lawfully authorized investigative officers and employer's of the United States and give a false or misleading testimony in an instituted judicial and congressional proceedings
- Interfering with the conduct of investigations by the Department of Justice of the United States, The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the office of Watergate Special Prosecution Force and congressional committees
- Influencing the testimony of witnesses or any potential witnesses who participated in other illegal activities.
- Endeavoring to misuse the Central Intelligence Agency
- Disseminating information received from officers of the Department of Justice of the United States to subjects of investigations provided by investigative officers and employees for assisting people in their attempt to avoid criminal liability.
- Making false public statements for the purpose of deceiving the people of the U.S. into believing that a thorough and complete investigation has been conducted. - Elizabeth C.
Abuse of Power
Richard Nixon repeatedly engaged in actions that violated the constitutional rights of citizens or contravening the laws governing agencies of the executive branch and the purposes of the agencies. This actions must have included one or more of the following:
- He has endeavored to obtain from the Internal Revenue Service, in violation of the constitutional rights of citizens. Confidential information contained in income tax returns for purposes not authorized by law to cause constitutional rights to citizens or income tax audits to be conducted in a discriminatory manner.
- He misused the FBI, the Secret service in violation of the constitutional rights of citizens, by directing or authorizing agencies for purposes unrelated to national security, the enforcement of laws, or any other lawful function of the office. He did direct the concealment of certain records made by FBI of electronic surveillance.
- He has acted personally and through his subordinates and agents, in violation or disregard of the constitutional rights of citizens. Permits a secret investigative unit within the office of the President. financed in part with money derived from campaign contributions to him, which unlawfully utilized the resources of the Central Intelligence Agency.
- He has failed to take care that the laws were faithfully executed by failing to act when he knew or had reason to know that his close subordinates were frustrated inquiries by the executive. Judicial and Legislative entities concerning the unlawful entry into the headquarters.
- In disregard in the rule of law, he knowingly misused the executive power by interfering with agencies of the executive branch; including the FBI, the Criminal Division, and the Office of Watergate Special Prosecution Force of the Department of Justice in the violation of his duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed. - Elizabeth C.
Contempt of Congress
Overall Richard Nixon has acted in a manor contrary to his trust as President and subversive of constitutional government, to the great prejudice of the cause of law and justice and to manifest injury towards the citizens of the United States. - Elizabeth C.