On September 8, 1974, President Ford pardoned President Nixon on US TV.
This is the uncut version.
PRESIDENT GERALD FORD
"Richard Nixon became the 37th President of the United States on 20 January, 1969. And was re-elected in 1972 for a second term by the electors of the forty-nine of fifty States. His term in Office continued until he resigned on August 9, 1974.
"Pursuant to the regulations of the House of Representatives, its Committee of the Judiciary, conducted an inquiry into the investigation on the impeachment of the President...extending over eight months.
"The hearings of the Committee, and its deliberations, which received wide national publicity over television; radio; and printed media, resulted in votes adverse to Richard Nixon on recommended Articles of Impeachment.
"As a result of certain omissions, occurring before the resignation from the Office of President, Richard Nixon has been liable to possible indictment for trial against the United States...Whether or not he shall be so prosecuted, depends on findings of the appropriate Grand Jury; and the discretion of the authorised Prosecutor.
"Should an indictment ensue...the accused shall then be entitled to a fair trial by an impartial Jury, as guaranteed by the Constitution.
"It is believed that the trial of Richard Nixon-if it became necessary-could fairly begin a year or more has elapsed. In the meantime the tranquillity to which this Nation has been restored-by the events of the recent weeks-could be irreparably lost by the prospects by bringing to trial a former President of the United States; the prospects of such a trial, will cause prolonged an divisive debate...over the propriety of over exposing further punishment and degradation a man who had already paid the unprecedented penalty of relinquishing the highest elective office of the United States.
"Now, therefore, I, Gerald R. Ford, President of the United States, pursuant of the pardon power conferred upon me by Article II, Section 2, of the Constitution, have granted, and by these presents, do grant a full, free, and absolute pardon to Richard Nixon...has committed, or may have committed, or taken part in doing, the period from, January 20, 1969 through August 9, 1974.
"In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this eighth day of September, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and seventy-four, and of the Independence of the United States, the One Hundred and Ninety-Ninth".
Signed,
Gerald R Ford".
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The Gerald Ford Files (Book V)
Non-FictionAfter the death of President LBJ, President Nixon and Vice President Spiro Agnew take over The White House by the late 1960's to mid 1970's. But, with controversy over Nixon's hatred of the Kennedy's still burning, he resorted to criminal behavior t...
