Sound archive
Watergate scandal: August 8, 1974, President Nixon resigns
Audio 01:08
On March 15, 1973, President Nixon said at a press conference at the White House that he would not allow his legal adviser, John Dean, to testify on Capitol Hill in connection with the Watergate investigation. .
© Charles Tasnadi / AP Photo
Text by: Anoushka Notaras
2 mins
On August 8, 1974, President Richard Nixon announced his resignation live on American television channels, cornered by the Watergate scandal.
This case of political espionage, unprecedented in the political history of the United States, was revealed by two journalists from the
Washington Post
, Carl Bernstein and Robert Woodward.
Their investigations, carried out between 1972 and 1974, led to a long Senate investigation supported by the intervention of justice, gradually revealing the direct involvement of the highest levels of American power.
A shining demonstration of the power of the press, Bernstein and Woodward's work sets a benchmark in investigative journalism.
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Transcription :
President Richard Nixon:
From the discussion I have had with congressionals and other leaders, I have concluded that, because of the Watergate matter...
Translation:
From discussions I have had with members of Congress and other leaders, I have concluded that because of the Watergate affair, I may no longer have the support of Congress. , support that I consider essential to take very difficult decisions and to help me to carry out the duties of my load in the direction of the interests of the nation.
RN:
[...] To continue to fight through the months ahead, and for my personal vindication...
Continuing this fight in the months ahead, for me alone, would take up the full time and attention of the President and Congress at a time when our mission should focus on the big issues of world peace and the prosperity of American society.
RN:
[...]
Therefore, I shall resign the Presidency, effective at noon tomorrow.
Accordingly, I resign from the presidency.
This resignation will take effect tomorrow at noon.
Vice President Gerald Ford will be sworn in as President of the United States at this time tomorrow, in this office.
With the collaboration of the RFI sound library.
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To read also:
The Watergate scandal: the investigation that brought down President Richard Nixon
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