Uploaded May 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Why did Ford Pardon Nixon?
When Gerald Ford was sworn in as President after Richard Nixon's resignation amidst the Watergate scandal, Ford faced a difficult decision regarding his predecessor.
“I decided that [a pardon] was the only way I could get rid of Mr. Nixon’s problems that were taking 25 percent of my daily time, so I could spend 100 percent of my time on the problems of 230 million Americans.”
How do you think leaders set priorities, balancing past issues with the present? Let us know in the comments!
This clip is part of "A Democracy Minute," where we offer 1-minute videos to spark discussions on the importance of exercising democracy. Our latest installment focuses on leadership.
Why did Ford Pardon Nixon?
When Gerald Ford was sworn in as President after Richard Nixon's resignation amidst the Watergate scandal, Ford faced a difficult decision regarding his predecessor.
“I decided that [a pardon] was the only way I could get rid of Mr. Nixon’s problems that were taking 25 percent of my daily time, so I could spend 100 percent of my time on the problems of 230 million Americans.”
How do you think leaders set priorities, balancing past issues with the present? Let us know in the comments!
This clip is part of "A Democracy Minute," where we offer 1-minute videos to spark discussions on the importance of exercising democracy. Our latest installment focuses on leadership.
