How Gerald Ford became President of The United States

Watergate Scandal

Jun 17, 1972

several burglars were arrested in the office of the Democratic National Committee, located in the Watergate complex of buildings in Washington, D.C. They were connected to President Richard Nixon’s reelection campaign, and they had been caught wiretapping phones and stealing documents. Nixon took aggressive steps to cover up the crimes.

Agnew resigned before Nixon resigned

Oct 10, 1973

Agnew resigned on October 10, 1973, after the U.S. Justice Department uncovered widespread evidence of his political corruption, including allegations that his practice of accepting bribes had continued into his tenure as U.S. vice president.

Nixon had to fill the position of vice president

Dec 10, 1973

President Nixon was instructed to the fill vacant office of vice president by nominating a candidate who then had to be approved by both houses of Congress.

How did Ford become Vice President?

Dec 10, 1973

In December 1973, two months after the resignation of Spiro Agnew, Ford became the first person appointed to the vice presidency under the terms of the 25th Amendment by President Richard Nixon.

Nixon resignes the Presidency

Aug 8, 1974

President Richard M. Nixon announces his intention to become the first president in American history to resign. With impeachment matters underway against him for his involvement in the Watergate affair, Nixon was finally giving in to pressure from the public and Congress to leave the White House.

Gerald Ford becomes President

Aug 9, 1974

Gerald Ford became President of the United States upon the resignation of Richard Nixon from office who left the White House in disgrace over the Watergate scandal. Ford became the first unelected president in the nation’s history.

Why Ford decided to pradon Nixon

Aug 9, 1974

Ford decided to give Nixon a full pardon for all offenses against the United States in order to put the tragic and disruptive scandal behind all concerned. Ford justified this decision by claiming that a long, drawn-out trial would only have further polarized the public. Ford’s decision to pardon Nixon was condemned by many and is thought to have contributed to Ford’s failure to win the presidential election of 1976.

Ford's Presidency

Jan 20, 1977

The presidency of Gerald Ford began on August 9, 1974, when Gerald Ford became President of the United States upon the resignation of Richard Nixon from office, and ended on January 20, 1977, a period of 895 days. In one of his most controversial acts as President, he granted a presidential pardon to President Richard Nixon for his role in the Watergate scandal.