This week marks the 51st anniversary of a truly unique event in American history. The one and only time a President left the White House by choice. Not due to death or the 22nd amendment, but resignation. Never before and not yet since has any other President done this, so this week, I want to know… why did Richard Nixon resign?

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Special guest for this episode:

• Iwan Morgan, an emeritus professor of US Studies at University College London, and an expert on the US Presidency. His most recent books are Reagan: American Icon and FDR: Transforming the Presidency and Renewing America

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Highlights from this episode:

• This episode commemorates the 50th anniversary of Richard Nixon's resignation, marking a unique moment in U.S. presidential history.
• Nixon's resignation was not due to death or a constitutional amendment, but rather a voluntary choice amid the Watergate scandal.
• The discussion highlights Nixon's insecurities and the political context that ultimately led to his decision to resign from office.
• The establishment of CREEP, Nixon's re-election committee, played a significant role in the events that led to the Watergate break-in and subsequent cover-up.
• The Watergate scandal revealed a pattern of cover-ups and dishonesty at the highest level of government, leading to a loss of public trust in presidential integrity.
• Nixon's resignation set a precedent in American politics, shaping future expectations of presidential accountability and the ethical standards expected from elected officials.

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Additional Resources:

Nixon (Reputations Series) by Iwan Morgan

President Nixon and Watergate - Political change 1960-2000 - Eduqas - GCSE History Revision - Eduqas - BBC Bitesize

John Dean's Watergate Testimony 50 Years Later | Teaching American History

Burdick v. United States | 236 U.S. 79 (1915) | Justia U.S. Supreme Court Cente

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And if you like this episode, you might also love:

What Was the Constitutional Convention?

Why Does the President Only Serve Two Terms?

Is the President Above the Law?

How Are Presidents Elected?

What is the US Constitution?

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