Remarks on Signing Proclamation Granting Pardon to Nixon (September 8, 1974)

President Gerald R. Ford became the 38th President of the United States on August 9, 1974, following the resignation of Richard Nixon. One month later, from the Oval Office, President Ford proclaimed a pardon for the former President regarding his actions involving the Watergate scandal. President Ford received legal counsel regarding pardoning Nixon even both he was convicted or even formally charged in a court of law.
While there was legal standing in the decision, President Ford knew that pardoning Nixon was the only way to avoid a lengthy, public trial, if a fair trial for Nixon could even be possible. More importantly, President Ford knew that the pardon was the right decision to move the country past Watergate, restore integrity to the Executive Branch, and concentrate efforts on solving the nation's issues.

[@dukeofhaas]

At 9:27 President Ford misspoke: He certainly meant to say January 20, 1969...the date of President Nixon's inauguration.

[@ultra_marcus]

The real question is, what did Nixon do in those first 6 months? what did Ford know?

[@dukeofhaas]

@@ultra_marcus In 1969 Gerald R. Ford was one of 435 US Congressman in the 91st Congress. He was in no position to "know" anything more or less than any other Member. And please remember that the Watergate Hotel burglary didn't occur until the Summer of 1972. Thanks for your comment.

[@djtforever1414]

Yes, i have made that comment on this speech elsewhere. July 20th 1969 was the day of the moon landing.

[@ChillSensesASMR]

What did he mean at the beginning where he said you "all played a part" in that?

[@xeromoth9771]

There’s no question pardoning Nixon was the right move. Not for Nixon’s sake but to avoid dragging the country through a prolonged trial which could have torn the country apart. Ford if anything was too honest, but was a thoroughly decent guy.

[@ZachRULES96]

Most of the nation wanted Nixon convicted. The overwhelming majority. Him pardoning Nixon was a slippery slope It’s also emboldened people like trump to attempt a coup

[@farid1406]

I disagree. It sent the message that the President is above the law and we're suffering because of it today. You don't heal a wound by ignoring it, you disinfect it. It might have been hard to go through Nixon's trial (though maybe not as hard as we assume) but it was the only right thing to do. Presidents are not above the law.

[@josephweaver5385]

No he was not. he was on the warren commission was a total Lie!

[@derrikferguson3219]

@@farid1406Pardon him for what? What did Nixon do?