why did nixon fire u.s. attorney general ellopt richardson

by Dr. Armando Pollich 3 min read

Richardson had promised Congress he would not interfere with the Special Prosecutor, and, rather than disobey the President or break his promise, he resigned. President Nixon subsequently ordered Richardson's second-in-command, Deputy Attorney General William Ruckelshaus, to carry out the order.

What did Richard Nixon do to fire Archibald Cox?

As U.S. Attorney General, he was a prominent figure in the Watergate Scandal, and resigned rather than obey President Nixon’s order to fire special prosecutor Archibald Cox.As U.S. Attorney General, he was a prominent figure in the Watergate ScandalWatergate ScandalAfter this, Gerald Ford, his vice-president, became the President by default.

Who ordered Cox to be fired by Nixon?

The Saturday Night Massacre was a series of events that took place in the United States on the evening of Saturday, October 20, 1973, during the Watergate scandal. U.S. President Richard Nixon ordered Attorney General Elliot Richardson to fire Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox; Richardson refused and resigned effective immediately.Nixon then ordered Deputy Attorney …

Was the 1973 dismissal of Richard Nixon illegal?

U.S. President Richard Nixon ordered Attorney General Elliot Richardson to fire Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox; Richardson refused and resigned effective immediately.U.S. President Richard Nixon ordered Attorney General Elliot Richardson to fire Special Prosecutor Archibald CoxArchibald CoxArchibald Cox Jr. Kennedy and as a special prosecutor during the Watergate …

How did Nixon’s espionage team plug leaks?

On October 20, 1973, Nixon ordered Attorney General Richardson to fire special prosecutor Archibald Cox (who was investigating the Watergate scandal). Richardson refused and resigned, as did Deputy Attorney General William Ruckelshaus when confronted with the same order. Who was the Attorney General at the time of the Saturday Night Massacre?

What role did Elliot Richardson play in the Watergate scandal?

U.S. Attorney General Elliot Richardson had appointed Cox in May 1973 after promising the House Judiciary Committee that he would appoint a special prosecutor to investigate the events surrounding the break-in of the Democratic National Committee's offices at the Watergate Hotel in Washington, D.C., on June 17, 1972.

Is Elliot Richardson still alive?

December 31, 1999Elliot Richardson / Date of death

What did Nixon do when Attorney General Richard Kleindienst resigned?

Nixon administration Kleindienst suspended his private practice in 1969 to accept the post of Deputy Attorney General offered him by President Richard Nixon. This gave him responsibilities relating to the government's suit against ITT.

What is the name of the event in which Nixon ordered Attorney General Richardson to fire the special prosecutor investigating the Watergate break in?

Saturday Night Massacre On October 20, 1973, after Cox refused to drop the subpoena, Nixon ordered Attorney General Elliot Richardson to fire the special prosecutor.

Did Elliot Richardson have a stroke?

Death. On New Year's Eve, 1999, Richardson died of a cerebral hemorrhage in Boston at the age of 79.

Who was attorney general when Nixon was president?

John Newton Mitchell (September 15, 1913 – November 9, 1988) was an American convicted criminal, lawyer, the 67th Attorney General of the United States under President Richard Nixon and chairman of Nixon's 1968 and 1972 presidential campaigns.

What were the reasons that Nixon gave for refusing to turn over the White House tapes?

President Nixon initially refused to release the tapes, putting two reasons forward: first, that the Constitutional principle of executive privilege extends to the tapes and citing the separation of powers and checks and balances within the Constitution, and second, claiming they were vital to national security.

What did President Nixon support during his first term?

Nixon's primary focus while in office was on foreign affairs. He focused on détente with the People's Republic of China and the Soviet Union, easing Cold War tensions with both countries.

Did Richard Nixon get a presidential funeral?

April 27, 1994Richard Nixon / Date of burial

Who were the 2 journalists of Watergate?

While a young reporter for The Washington Post in 1972, Bernstein was teamed up with Bob Woodward; the two did much of the original news reporting on the Watergate scandal. These scandals led to numerous government investigations and the eventual resignation of President Richard Nixon.

Who went to jail for a role in Watergate?

Howard Hunt — CIA operative and leader of the White House Plumbers; convicted of burglary, conspiracy, and wiretapping; sentenced to 2½ to 8 years in prison; served 33 months in prison.

Why did Nixon fire special prosecutor Cox?

When Cox refused a direct order from the White House to seek no further tapes or presidential materials, Nixon fired him in an incident that became known as the Saturday Night Massacre.

What did Nixon order Elliot Richardson?

In October 1973, after Richardson had served 5 months as Attorney General, President Nixon ordered him to fire the top lawyer investigating the Watergate scandal, Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox.

What happened during Watergate?

On June 17, 1972, police arrested burglars in the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate complex in Washington, D.C. Evidence linked the break-in to President Richard Nixon’s re-election campaign.

Who fired the Watergate special prosecutor?

U.S. President Richard Nixon ordered Attorney General Elliot Richardson to fire Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox; Richardson refused and resigned effective immediately. Nixon then ordered Deputy Attorney General William Ruckelshaus to fire Cox; Ruckelshaus refused, and also resigned.

Which was a success of the Ford administration quizlet?

Which was a success of the Ford Administration? the Democratic National Committee.

Who was the Attorney General during the Watergate scandal?

On October 20, 1973, Nixon ordered Attorney General Richardson to fire special prosecutor Archibald Cox (who was investigating the Watergate scandal). Richardson refused and resigned, as did Deputy Attorney General William Ruckelshaus when confronted with the same order.

Who was the Attorney General at the time of the Saturday Night Massacre?

Nixon then ordered the Solicitor General of the United States, Robert Bork, as acting head of the Justice Department, to fire Cox. Both Richardson and Ruckelshaus had given personal assurances to Congressional oversight committees that they would not interfere, but Bork had not.