U.S. President Richard Nixon condemns the actions of those involved in Watergate following the ouster of four top aides 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 30 1973)

1970s, U.S. Presidents, Watergate


Video: 'Richard Nixon-Address to the Nation About the Watergate Investigations (April 30, 1973)'

(Monday, April 30, 1973, 9:00 p.m. EDT; during the Watergate scandal) — As the Watergate scandal became more complicated, U.S. President Richard Nixon told the nation tonight that he accepted the resignations of three top staff members who have been implicated, including H. R. Haldeman, John D. Ehrlichman, and White House counsel John Dean, who was actually fired.

Nixon also accepted the resignation of Attorney General Richard G. Kleindienst.

While the President accepted responsibility for what happened in the Watergate case, he falsely claimed he had no knowledge of political espionage or attempts to cover it up.


Video: 'President Nixon's First Watergate Speech (April 30, 1973)'

“In any organization, the man at the top must bear the responsibility,” Nixon said. “That responsibility, therefore, belongs here in this office. I accept it.”

Nixon said that hereafter the investigation of the Watergate matters would be delegated to his new Attorney General, Elliot L. Richardson, while he, the President, would turn his attention to grave foreign and domestic matters.


Video: '"Watergate: The Secret Story" - 1992' (Apr. 30, 1973, at 1:03:05)

He added that he would leave it up to Richardson whether to appoint a special prosecutor.

The speech, which came after weeks of growing tension at the White House as developments in the Watergate scandal implicated administration figures, was an emotional appeal to save the integrity of the Presidency for the 1,361 days, by Nixon’s count, that remain in his term.


Video: 'WATERGATE AFFAIR BBC DOKUMENTATION 1994' (Apr. 30, 1973, at 1:59:39)

“Tonight I ask for your prayers to help me in everything that I do,” Nixon said at the end. “God bless America, and God bless each and every one of you.”

Nixon was tense and grave. At the start of the speech, he stumbled several times as he shuffled the pages from which he read.

Afterward, technicians in the room said, the President brushed tears from his eyes and said, “It wasn’t easy.”