Major Controversies Surrounding Richard Nixon: A Detailed Timeline

Public opinion and media debates around Richard Nixon—discover key moments of controversy.

Richard Nixon, the 37th U.S. President, served from 1969 until his 1974 resignation. A Republican, he previously served as a Congressman, Senator, and Vice President. His presidency is noted for ending US involvement in Vietnam, initiating détente with the Soviet Union and China, overseeing the Apollo 11 Moon landing, and creating the EPA and OSHA. He resigned amidst the Watergate scandal, becoming the only U.S. president to do so.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

May 1948: Nixon co-sponsors the Mundt–Nixon Bill

In May 1948, Nixon co-sponsored the Mundt–Nixon Bill, which aimed to register Communist Party members and require statements of sources for Communist front materials. He served as floor manager for the Republican Party.

September 23, 1952: The Checkers Speech

On September 23, 1952, Nixon delivered the "Checkers speech" on television to address allegations of a political fund, emotionally defending himself and leading to a surge of public support and Eisenhower's decision to keep him on the ticket.

November 11, 1962: The Political Obituary of Richard M. Nixon

On November 11, 1962, the ABC News show, "Howard K. Smith: News and Comment", aired an episode titled "The Political Obituary of Richard M. Nixon", which highlighted Nixon's California defeat. Alger Hiss appeared on the program, leading to public outcry and the show's eventual cancellation.

October 22, 1968: Information on "October Surprise"

On October 22, 1968, candidate Richard Nixon received information that President Johnson was preparing an "October surprise", abandoning conditions for a bombing halt to help elect Humphrey. Whether the Nixon campaign interfered with negotiations between the Johnson administration and the South Vietnamese remains a controversy.

March 1969: Operation Menu

In March 1969, Nixon approved the secret B-52 carpet bombing campaign of North Vietnamese and Khmer Rouge positions in Cambodia, code-named Operation Menu, without the consent of Cambodian leader Norodom Sihanouk.

1969: Nixon Steps Up Covert Operations Against Cuba

In 1969, upon taking office, Nixon intensified covert operations against Cuba and its president, Fidel Castro, maintaining close ties with the Cuban-American exile community.

April 30, 1970: Invasion of Cambodia

On April 30, 1970, Nixon announced the ground invasion of Cambodia against North Vietnamese bases in the east of the country, leading to further protests and the Kent State University killings.

September 1970: Covert Opposition to Salvador Allende

In September 1970, the election of Salvador Allende as President of Chile spurred a campaign of covert opposition by Nixon and Kissinger, trying to prevent Allende from taking office.

August 1971: Nixon Announces Wage and Price Controls

In August 1971, with inflation unresolved and an election year looming, Nixon announced temporary wage and price controls, allowed the dollar to float, and ended the convertibility of the dollar into gold.

1971: Nixon's Statements About Jews Recorded

In 1971, derogatory statements by Nixon about Jews were recorded and later released.

1971: Publication of Pentagon Papers

In 1971, excerpts from the "Pentagon Papers" were published by The New York Times and The Washington Post. Nixon initially intended to do nothing but was later persuaded to try to prevent publication; however, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the newspapers.

June 17, 1972: Watergate Break-in

On June 17, 1972, five men were caught breaking into the Democratic Party headquarters at the Watergate complex in Washington, D.C., leading to the Watergate scandal.

June 20, 1972: Missing Tape Conversation

In November, Nixon's lawyers revealed that a tape of conversations held in the White House on June 20, 1972, had an 18+1⁄2 minute gap.

1972: Nixon Vetoes the Clean Water Act

In 1972, Nixon vetoed the Clean Water Act due to the amount of money to be spent on it, which he deemed excessive, although Congress overrode his veto.

June 1973: Reimposition of Price Controls

In June 1973, after winning re-election, Nixon reimposed price controls due to returning inflation.

July 1973: Butterfield Testifies about Nixon's Taping System

In July 1973, White House aide Alexander Butterfield testified under oath to Congress that Nixon had a secret taping system.

September 11, 1973: Violent Coup in Chile

On September 11, 1973, General Augusto Pinochet assumed power in Chile in a violent coup d'état, during which Salvador Allende died. This followed a period of social, political, and economic unrest.

October 10, 1973: Agnew Resigns as Vice President

On October 10, 1973, Vice President Agnew resigned due to bribery, tax evasion, and money laundering charges.

November 17, 1973: "I'm not a crook"

On November 17, 1973, during a televised session, Nixon famously said, "People have got to know whether or not their president is a crook. Well, I'm not a crook."

1973: Watergate Revelations Erode Support

From 1973, ongoing revelations from the Nixon administration's involvement in Watergate eroded his support in Congress and the country.

1973: OPEC Oil Embargo

In 1973, following U.S. support of Israel in the Yom Kippur War, Arab OPEC nations retaliated by refusing to sell crude oil to the U.S., resulting in the 1973 oil crisis.

April 30, 1974: Lapse of Statutory Authorization for Price Controls

On April 30, 1974, the statutory authorization for Nixon's price controls lapsed, as they had become unpopular and produced food shortages.

May 9, 1974: House Judiciary Committee Opens Impeachment Hearings

On May 9, 1974, the House Judiciary Committee opened televised impeachment hearings against Nixon.

August 5, 1974: Release of the "Smoking Gun Tape"

On August 5, 1974, Nixon released the "Smoking Gun Tape", accepting blame for misleading the country about White House involvement in Watergate.

August 8, 1974: Nixon Announces Resignation

On August 8, 1974, Nixon addressed the nation on television, announcing his resignation from the presidency.

August 9, 1974: Nixon's Resignation

On August 9, 1974, facing almost certain impeachment and removal from office, Richard Nixon resigned from the presidency.

September 8, 1974: Ford Pardons Nixon

On September 8, 1974, President Gerald Ford granted Nixon a "full, free, and absolute pardon", ending any possibility of an indictment.

October 1974: Nixon Falls Ill and Midterm Elections

In October 1974, Richard Nixon fell ill with phlebitis and reluctantly chose surgery. While hospitalized and under subpoena, Nixon's illness was doubted by The Washington Post. Republicans faced significant losses in the House and Senate in the 1974 midterm elections, partly due to Watergate and Nixon's pardon.

1974: Payment of Back Taxes

In 1974, Nixon paid $465,000 in back taxes.

1974: Nixon's Resignation

In 1974, Richard Nixon resigned from the presidency, becoming the only U.S. president to do so. His resignation was a result of the Watergate scandal.

1976: Nixon Disbarred in New York

In 1976, Richard Nixon was disbarred by a New York State court due to obstruction of justice in the Watergate affair, without presenting a defense.

1977: Nixon's Frost Interviews Aired

In 1977, a series of sit-down interviews between Richard Nixon and British talk-show host David Frost were aired. Nixon admitted to letting down the country regarding Watergate and the interviews became the most-watched program of its kind in television history.