The Watergate scandal of the early 1970s is widely considered to be the most notorious political scandal in American history. It was the first and, so far, the only time a president was forced to resign from office. The scandal began when five men were caught breaking into the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee in Washington, D. C.
Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, with the help of an informant known as “Deep Throat” (later revealed to be Mark Felt, the assistant director of the FBI), uncovered a web of corruption that led to President Richard M. Nixon's resignation on August 9, 1974. Nearly a dozen of Nixon's advisers and acolytes were sentenced to prison, and Nixon was later pardoned by his successor, President Gerald Ford. The Watergate scandal is not the only political scandal to have rocked Washington DC. In 1876, Secretary of War William W.
Belknap was impeached for taking bribes from traders at Indian trading posts. In 1882, Secretary of War Robert T. Lincoln was accused of using his position to secure government contracts for his friends. In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge's Attorney General Harry Daugherty was accused of taking bribes from bootleggers during Prohibition.
And in 1976, Secretary of Agriculture Earl Butz resigned after making a racist joke. These are just a few examples of the many political scandals that have occurred in Washington DC over the years. The Eaton affair of 1829 is particularly noteworthy as it shows how seemingly minor personal issues can have important political implications amidst the volatile mix of politics and society in the nation's capital. More recently, the Russian scandal has been dominating headlines and has served as a reminder that political scandals are still very much alive in Washington. Political scandals have been a part of Washington DC's history since its inception. From Watergate to the Eaton affair, these scandals have had far-reaching implications for both politics and society in America's capital city.
This article will provide an overview of some of the most notorious political scandals in Washington DC's history, from Watergate to the Russian scandal. The Watergate scandal is perhaps the most famous political scandal in American history. It began when five men were caught breaking into the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee in Washington, D. C., and eventually led to President Richard M. Nixon's resignation on August 9, 1974. The scandal was uncovered by Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein with help from an informant known as “Deep Throat” (later revealed to be Mark Felt, the assistant director of the FBI).
Nearly a dozen of Nixon's advisers and acolytes were sentenced to prison, and Nixon was later pardoned by his successor, President Gerald Ford. The Eaton affair is another notable political scandal in Washington DC's history. In 1829, Secretary of War John Eaton was accused of having an affair with Margaret O'Neill Timberlake, a married woman who worked at a boarding house near the White House. The scandal caused a rift between President Andrew Jackson and his cabinet members and ultimately led to Eaton's resignation. In 1876, Secretary of War William W. And in 1976, Secretary of Agriculture Earl Butz resigned after making a racist joke. More recently, the Russian scandal has been dominating headlines and has served as a reminder that political scandals are still very much alive in Washington DC today.
The scandal began when it was revealed that members of Donald Trump's presidential campaign had met with Russian officials during the 2016 election cycle and had potentially colluded with them to influence the outcome of the election. Political scandals have been a part of Washington DC's history since its inception and have had far-reaching implications for both politics and society in America's capital city. From Watergate to the Russian scandal, these scandals have shaped our understanding of politics and democracy in America today.
