Story thread · 5 reports / 5 sources

Deseret News archives: Nixon resigned, Gerald R. Ford became U.S. president

deseret.com · 2dShare

Editor’s note: This story was originally published on Aug. 9, 2024. A look back at local, national and world events through Deseret News archives. On Aug. 9, 1974, Gerald Ford took the oath of office to become the 38th U.S. president after Richard Nixon’s resignation; in a speech following his swearing-in, Ford declared that “our long national nightmare is over.” The year had been dominated by headlines from the Watergate hearings, leaked secret recordings from the White House, and mounting pressure on Nixon to step down. Impeachment proceedings were imminent . Per news reports of the day, two-thirds of Americans wanted an impeachment trial. On Monday, Aug. 5, 1974, the White House released transcripts of subpoenaed tape recordings showing that Nixon and his chief of staff, H.R. Haldeman, had discussed a plan in June 1972 to use the CIA to thwart the FBI’s Watergate investigation. But on Aug. 6, a defiant Nixon said he would not leave office. Reports indicated Ford was preparing to tak

First report: On This Day, Aug. 8: Nixon announces resignation on TV — upi.com, 3d