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As a successor President of the U.S. who was a member of the same political party (the Republican Party), Ford thought it prudent for the nation to move on to the business of governing and away from the scandalous chapter of "Watergate" (and the stain it had made on the nation. He knew that Nixon's enemies would press for indictments against Nixon and if they succeeded, the trials would be a political circus, dominating the news media and the world's attention for many months. Ford decided the possible justice served would not be worth the cost to America's prestige in the world and the distraction it would be produce in the US government.
(Some enemies of Ford have suggested that Ford had agreed to pardon Nixon as a condition of gaining not only the presidency but also the cooperation of the Republican Party apparatus and its major players.)
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoPresident Gerald R. Ford, wanted to put the stigma of Watergate behind the country and get on with the business of running the nation. Former President Richard M. Nixon resigned from the Presidency and Ford believed that that was enough punishment for covering up his role in the Watergate scandal.
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What were Gerald Ford's first acts as president?
His very first was to pardon Nixon for his crimes while president.
What if President Ford never gave Nixon a pardon?
Nixon could have been tried and convicted.
What event costs Ford much support Early in his presidency?
His pardon of Richard Nixon
Did Ford pardon Nixon for past present and future indiscretions?
No. President Ford pardoned former President Nixon for any past crimes committed against the United States. No pardon can apply to crimes committed in the future of when the pardon is granted.
Why did Gerald Ford become so unpopular after only a month of being president?
He offered a pardon to Richard Nixon
What did Richard Nixon receive from president Gerald Ford?
Richard Nixon received a Presidential Pardon from Gerald R. Ford.
What kind of clemency did President Ford give to former president Nixon?
The pardon was made in 1974 soon after Nixon left office.
What was the date of the Richard Nixon pardon?
September 8 1974 was date of President Ford's pardon of Richard Nixon.
What happened first President Ford granted former President Nixon a full free and absolute pardon or James Earl Carter was elected President of the US?
Ford's pardon.
President Ford knew that Nixon's acceptance of a pardon was an admission of innocence.?
FALSE
What did President Ford do to end the Watergate affair?
Pardoning Richard Nixon
Which president was pardon for impeachment?
Richard Nixon resigned the presidency on August 9th, 1974. He was succeeded by his appointed Vice President, Gerald Ford. On September 8th, 1974 Ford granted Nixon a "free and full" pardon.
