The Watergate scandal led to the resignation of which U.S. president?

• A. Lyndon B. Johnson
• B. Gerald Ford
• C. Jimmy Carter
• D. Richard Nixon

Answer: (D)

Watergate demonstrates how legal jeopardy and a loss of public trust can topple a presidency. After the break-in at the Democratic National Committee and a growing cover-up, investigations uncovered evidence that Nixon was involved in obstructing justice. With impeachment likely and his political support evaporating, Nixon chose to resign rather than face removal by Congress. He left office in 1974, and Gerald Ford then became president. The other leaders listed—Lyndon Johnson, who did not resign, and Jimmy Carter, who served later and was not connected to Watergate—show that this crisis did not force their departures.