Post by mcnutt on Mar 21, 2019 17:18:57 GMT
The first POD is that John Dean is present during the June 23, 1972 meeting when Nixon tells Haldeman to get the CIA to stop the FBI investigation of Watergate. On June 21st 1973, the opening day of Dean’s testimony to the Senate Watergate Committee, he tells the committee about Nixon’s obstruction of justice on June 23rd 1972. After Alexander Butterfield reveals the existence of the President’s taping system on July 16th 1973, the committee subpoena’s tapes including the June 23rd tape. Nixon refuses to turn over the tapes citing executive privilege. When the district court orders Nixon to turn over the tapes on September 3rd 1973, Nixon appeals the decision. Lawyers for the committee convince the Supreme Court to directly take the case. On November 5, 1973, the Supreme Court hands down its 8-0 decision ( Justice Rehnquist recused himself.) in the case of Senate Watergate Committee vs Nixon. The decision says that executive privilege cannot be used to withhold evidence in a criminal investigation. After the committee gets control of the tape, intents of the it leak to the press. On December 18 and 19, 1973, the House Judiciary Committee drafts articles of impeachment. On January 3, 1974, President Nixon announces his resignation that will take effect January 4th 1974. That day Vice President Ford takes the oath of office as President. His speechwriter still comes up with the “your long national nightmare is over” line. How does this change history? It doesn’t. President Ford pardons Nixon on February 3rd 1974. The Nixon pardon helps lead to his defeat by Jimmy Carter in the 1976 election. It does change things for me. OTL I was at camp on August 8, 1974. We had planned a camp out for that night. There was one guy with a transistor radio who gave us bulletins. ITTL January 3rd and 4th 1974, I am home from fifth grade for Christmas break. January 3rd and 4th 1974, I spend both days in front of the tv. I have in living color memories of President Nixon’s resignation. My favorite part of fifth grade was that we began our day with a current events discussion. This is more interesting ITTL.