Which president resigned in the wake of the Watergate scandal?

Which president resigned in the wake of the Watergate scandal?

• A. Richard Nixon
• B. George Washington
• C. Theodore Roosevelt
• D. John F. Kennedy

Answer: (A)

The situation tests understanding how a major scandal can lead a president to resign. Watergate involved a break-in at the Democratic National Committee and a cover-up by officials in the White House, which exposed abuses of power. As investigations revealed wrongdoing and the political damage grew, Nixon faced almost certain impeachment by the House and removal by the Senate. To avoid that process and the lasting humiliation for the office, he chose to resign, announcing it on August 8, 1974, effective the next day. He remains the only U.S. president to resign. The other figures listed didn’t resign over Watergate or a similar scandal: Washington stepped down after two terms by choice, Roosevelt left office after his terms and later pursued other political moves, and Kennedy was assassinated in office.

The situation tests understanding how a major scandal can lead a president to resign. Watergate involved a break-in at the Democratic National Committee and a cover-up by officials in the White House, which exposed abuses of power. As investigations revealed wrongdoing and the political damage grew, Nixon faced almost certain impeachment by the House and removal by the Senate. To avoid that process and the lasting humiliation for the office, he chose to resign, announcing it on August 8, 1974, effective the next day. He remains the only U.S. president to resign.

The other figures listed didn’t resign over Watergate or a similar scandal: Washington stepped down after two terms by choice, Roosevelt left office after his terms and later pursued other political moves, and Kennedy was assassinated in office.