The President's Men
Anjali A.
Nixon's twisted web of loyalties spanned the White House, The CIA, and the Committee to Re-Elect the President (CRP) and included a wide array of players. However, in this section we will take a look at just a few of the most important players in the infamous Watergate Scandal. These men were so blinded by their loyalty to Nixon that they committed countless illegal and immoral actions, simply to assist and protect the President.
Watergate Burglars
H.R. Haldeman White House Chief of Staff
H.R. Haldeman was Nixon's Chief of Staff and one of the men who helped the President to cover-up the Watergate Scandal. Haldeman was the man who brought up the idea of using the CIA to assist in the cover-up. He is recorded on both the "Smoking Gun" tape and the 18-minute-gap tape.
Before and during the Watergate scandal, he had a reputation for carrying out the Presidents orders regardless of right or wrong. He was convicted of both obstruction of justice and conspiracy, serving 18 months in federal prison. Charles Colson Special Counsel to the President
Colson served as a Special counsel to the President for several months before becoming involved with the CRP. As presidential counsel, he was a vital part of gaining support and money for Nixon's causes. He is often known as the "evil genius" of Nixon's administration for his sheer ruthlessness in getting things done.
Colson was also a key part of the CRP. He helped to run the "Plumbers", a group of loyal Nixon supporters that were involved in several illegal affairs, including the Pentagon Papers and Watergate Scandals. In the aftermath of the Watergate Scandal, Colson became a Born-Again Christian and went on to become an influential Evangelical Pastor. |
Howard Hunt President's Special Investigations Unit
Hunt had a spotty record even prior to the Watergate Scandal. As part of the CIA, he several anti-Castro efforts, forging assassination records, and several other illegal activities.
However, it was when he joined the White House that he began to carry out Nixon's dirty work. He was the mastermind who organized the Watergate burglary and recruited the burglars, several of whom had anti-Castro connections. He spent 33 months in prison on charges of conspiracy but remained extremely resentful of Nixon, who avoided any jail time by resigning. John Ehrlichman Assistant to the President for Domestic Affairs
John Ehrlichman and H.R. Haldeman were known as the "Berlin Wall" of Nixon's White House, and for good reason. These men sought to protect and isolate the president from any political harm and often went to great lengths to accomplish that.
Ehrlichman, alone basically had one role both before and during Watergate,, to destroy Nixon's enemies and he has highly effective at that. He was also heavily involved in the Plumbers, serving as both its founder and head. In an attempt to save face, Nixon asked him to resign and he agreed, but Ehrlichman never truly forgave Nixon and bore a grudge for many years. He was accused and convicted of perjury, conspiracy, and obstruction of justice and he spent 18 months in jail. |
Works Cited - Anjali A.
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- Eddy, Tracy L. "H.R. Haldeman." Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives, Thematic Series: Sports Figures. Ed. Arnold Markoe and Kenneth T. Jackson. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 2003. U.S. History In Context. Web. 11 May 2013. <Source>
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- Keller, Susan Jo. "Bernard Barker, 92, a Watergate Burglar." New York Times 7 June 2009: A22(L). U.S. History In Context. Web. 13 May 2013. <Source>
- "Plumbers." Encyclopedia of the Vietnam War. Ed. Stanley I. Kutler. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1996. U.S. History In Context. Web. 13 May 2013. <Source>
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