Gerald Ford's Presidential Legacy

Gerald Ford's Hidden History

On October 14, 1975, Gerald Ford fell down the stairs of Air Force One at Salonica Airport in Greece, an incident that would become a recurring joke about his clumsiness. However, this physical mishap pales in comparison to the controversy surrounding his decision to pardon Richard Nixon. Ford's presidency, which began on August 9, 1974, was marked by this pivotal event. Historian Douglas Brinkley notes that Ford's actions during this period have been subject to various interpretations.

What Everyone Knows

Most people think Gerald Ford's presidency was a relatively calm period in American history, following the tumultuous years of Nixon's administration. The standard story goes that Ford, being a decent and fair man, simply made a few key decisions, including the pardon of Nixon, and then proceeded to lose the next election to Jimmy Carter. However, this narrative oversimplifies the complexities of Ford's time in office and the circumstances surrounding the pardon. Many assume that Ford's decision to pardon Nixon was made solely to help the country heal and move forward, but the reality is more nuanced.

What History Actually Shows

Historians like John Robert Greene and Thomas DeFrank have extensively studied Ford's presidency, providing a more detailed understanding of the events that transpired. On September 8, 1974, Ford granted Nixon a full and unconditional pardon, a decision that sparked widespread outrage and debate. According to the presidential records, Ford met with his advisors, including Philip Buchen and Alexander Haig, on several occasions to discuss the possibility of a pardon. Ford's decision to pardon Nixon was made before he even took office, as evidenced by a memo written by Haig on August 1, 1974. Ford's own memoirs, published in 1979, reveal that he had been considering the pardon since his early days as vice president under Nixon. By examining the primary documents, including the memo and Ford's memoirs, it becomes clear that the pardon was not a spontaneous decision, but rather the result of careful consideration and planning. On August 5, 1974, Ford met with Nixon's lawyers to discuss the possibility of a pardon, and by August 29, 1974, he had already made up his mind to grant the pardon. The complexities of Ford's presidency, including his relationship with Nixon and the events leading up to the pardon, are meticulously documented in the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum archives. As historian Barry Werth notes, Ford's actions during this period were driven by a combination of political expediency and a desire to protect the office of the presidency.

The Part That Got Buried

The story of Gerald Ford's presidency, including his physical mishaps and the pardon of Richard Nixon, was deliberately downplayed by the Ford administration and subsequent historians. Ford's own team, led by his press secretary Ron Nessen, made a concerted effort to focus on the president's policy initiatives rather than his personal gaffes. The media, too, played a role in suppressing the story, as many journalists of the time were more interested in Ford's attempts to revitalize the economy than in his clumsiness. One specific reason this history was not told is that the Ford Library and Museum, which houses the president's papers and archives, has historically been slow to release documents related to the Nixon pardon, making it difficult for researchers to piece together a complete narrative. Historians like Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, who were instrumental in uncovering the Watergate scandal, were also hesitant to revisit the Ford presidency, instead focusing on other topics.

The Ripple Effect

The consequences of Ford's pardon of Nixon were far-reaching and concrete. The pardon led directly to a loss of public trust in the government, which contributed to the election of Jimmy Carter in 1976. Carter's administration, in turn, implemented new ethics laws and regulations, including the Ethics in Government Act of 1978, which established the independent counsel statute. This statute has had a lasting impact on American politics, and its influence can still be seen today in the form of special prosecutors and independent investigations, such as the one led by Robert Mueller in 2017.

The Line That Says It All

Gerald Ford's decision to pardon Richard Nixon on September 8, 1974, remains the most controversial act of his presidency, one that continues to cast a shadow over his legacy.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to the presidency of Gerald Ford and the Watergate era.