Page 2 of 5 < >

Closing the Chapter on Watergate Wasn't Done Lightly

Within a month of taking office in 1974, President Gerald R. Ford granted former president Richard Nixon "a full, free and absolute pardon." Ford was unprepared for the public outcry. (Associated Press)

Discussion Policy

Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.

After extracting a pledge of secrecy, Ford told his top aide and speechwriter, Robert Hartmann, what had just occurred with Haig.

"Jesus!" Hartmann said. "What did you tell him?"

"I told him I needed time to think about it."

"You what?" Hartmann fairly shouted. Even entertaining any agreement of resignation for a pardon, Hartmann believed, was a monstrous impropriety that could taint a Ford presidency forever.

Ford didn't think so. He hadn't promised anything to Haig. He wanted to talk to his wife, Betty.

Betty Ford was firm that he shouldn't get involved in making any recommendations to Nixon or to Haig.

About 1:30 a.m., Ford called Haig.

"Al," he said, "our discussion this afternoon, I hope you understand there was no agreement, no decision and no deal."

There Wasn't a Deal

The next day, Ford told his adviser and former House colleague John Marsh about the visit from Haig and the options, including one in which Nixon would resign.

"I then, what I would do, I would give Nixon a pardon," Ford said.

Marsh couldn't believe it. "Look, you can't do this," he said gently.

"You could make a strong case for a pardon, that it would be in the national interest," Ford told Marsh.

< 2 >