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61 - Proclamation 4311 - Granting Pardon to Richard Nixon September 8, 1974
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=4696 ^ | September 8, 1974 | Gerald Ford

Posted on 01/22/2016 1:30:18 PM PST by nikos1121

By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation

Richard Nixon became the thirty-seventh President of the United States on January 20, 1969 and was reelected in 1972 for a second term by the electors of forty-nine of the fifty states. His term in office continued until his resignation on August 9, 1974.

Pursuant to resolutions of the House of Representatives, its Committee on the Judiciary conducted an inquiry and investigation on the impeachment of the President extending over more than eight months. The hearings of the Committee and its deliberations, which received wide national publicity over television, radio, and in printed media, resulted in votes adverse to Richard Nixon on recommended Articles of Impeachment.

As a result of certain acts or omissions occurring before his resignation from the Office of President, Richard Nixon has become liable to possible indictment and trial for offenses against the United States. Whether or not he shall be so prosecuted depends on findings of the appropriate grand jury and on the discretion of the authorized prosecutor. Should an indictment ensue, the accused shall then be entitled to a fair trial by an impartial jury, as guaranteed to every individual by the Constitution.

It is believed that a trial of Richard Nixon, if it became necessary, could not fairly begin until a year or more has elapsed. In the meantime, the tranquility to which this nation has been restored by the events of recent weeks could be irreparably lost by the prospects of bringing to trial a former President of the United States. The prospects of such trial will cause prolonged and divisive debate over the propriety of exposing to further punishment and degradation a man who has already paid the unprecedented penalty of relinquishing the highest elective office of the United States.

Now, Therefore, I, Gerald R. Ford, President of the United States, pursuant to the pardon power conferred upon me by Article II, Section 2, of the Constitution, have granted and by these presents do grant a full, free, and absolute pardon unto Richard Nixon for all offenses against the United States which he, Richard Nixon, has committed or may have committed or taken part in during the period from January 20, 1969 through August 9, 1974.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this eighth day of September, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and seventy-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and ninety-ninth.

GERALD R. FORD


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; FReeper Editorial; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: clinton; indictment; nixon; pardon
On September 8, 1974 I was old enough to remember President Gerald Ford's fireside chat with us. I don't recall that I knew in advance what he was about to say. The media outlets were untimely mainly your daily newspapers, radio (without, for example a Rush Limbaugh)and the television.

When Ford stated at the end that he would issue Richard Nixon a pardon, like many, I was surprised, but immediately agreed with the reasoning. The man had suffered the ultimate penalty, ie to step down from the office of president and to be the only man to do so.

I was mad at the time, thinking that Nixon was the fall guy for some bunglers who were acting on their own and not co-ordinating with Nixon or his immediate cabinet members. I thought, why not absolve yourself of any complicity and distance yourself from the break in. Do so quickly, and get the matter behind you.

We all know now that he didn't do this. He chose to cover up the event, and what's more he made tapes of his cover up!

Following the pardon and for years to follow, there was speculation that there was a "deal" between Nixon and Ford. He would step down, Ford would pardon him, and even a rumor that Ford would in turn the presidency over to Nelson Rockefeller. (please see: http://www.democracynow.org/2006/12/27/did_gerald_ford_agree_to_nixon )

A deal was never proven. Moreover Ford and Nixon to their dying days, never admitted to a deal between them.

I post this proclamation because it displays a unique similarity to the situation that Hillary Clinton finds herself in. Almost everything said can be addressed to Hillary Clinton if she is indicted, that appears more and more likely with each passing day. In fact, go back and simply insert her name in the place of Nixon, and ignore his position of president.

What then?

I contend, that the same offer will be given to Hillary Clinton by President Obama, and the same reasoning, as in the Nixon pardon, given. Hillary will decide to step down from being the democratic nominee in return for the pardon, or maybe she won't and face and indictment and a very long trial.

This, of course, is my opinion.

1 posted on 01/22/2016 1:30:19 PM PST by nikos1121
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To: nikos1121
My thoughts on this subject a half hour ago:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/3387247/posts?page=54#54

In summary, it'll be too late for Obama to pardon Hilliary, and fall on the next president. Cruz would let her stew in prison. Trump, I'm not so sure.

2 posted on 01/22/2016 1:37:25 PM PST by IAMNO1 (Enough with the divisions. Lets get somebody in there who'll fix this mess.)
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To: nikos1121

Nixon vs Hillary? How many oranges did you pick off your apple tree today?


3 posted on 01/22/2016 1:37:59 PM PST by Bringbackthedraft (Just an old grumpy guy looking back in time, wondering WTF happened?)
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If you feel like it, join in the Free Republic Caucus (each day)

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We've very lucky to have this forum where we can debate the issues of the day.

4 posted on 01/22/2016 1:38:24 PM PST by DoughtyOne (Free Republic Caucus: vote daily / watch for the thread / Starts 01/20 midnight to midnight EDST)
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To: IAMNO1

Trump was asked the question at a rally and said that he would pursue indictment or words to that effect.

I think the past week, Hillary Clinton appears to be cozying up to Obama. The Benghazi movie also hints that there was a cover up and some duplicity between Obama and Clinton.

There would be reason to pardon her, for the same reasons given by Ford, ie to avoid our country going through a protracted and divisive trial for one thing, but also it keep Clinton from exposing others.

I think the money laundering through the Clinton Foundation is far and away more serious than her private email server.


5 posted on 01/22/2016 1:42:25 PM PST by nikos1121 (December 25, 2016 will be the merriest Christmas of all for me.)
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To: Bringbackthedraft
Nixon, in my opinion, did nothing more than what was the modus operendi for all presidents. Hillary Clinton is a true felon. I would personally like to see her lose the nomination to Sanders, and then they can pardon her, or pardon her from indictment for the private server but NOT the foundation money received illegally.
6 posted on 01/22/2016 1:47:01 PM PST by nikos1121 (December 25, 2016 will be the merriest Christmas of all for me.)
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To: nikos1121

At the time I was convinced that the entire “Watergate” hoo-ha was an event pushed by a MEDIA that loathed and hated Richard Nizon. Any damamge to the country was merely a side-effect.
When I, today, consider the doings of the Clintons and their ilk as well as the harm done now by an administration whose back is convred by an armor-plated complicit MEDIA.
When Nixon died, there was indeed comment that he had proven to be somewhat of an able statesman, and his place in history had improved quite a bit.
How will history treat our current chief executive? I fear it will reflect the deep damage being done to the greatest country in history.


7 posted on 01/22/2016 2:15:41 PM PST by CaptainAmiigaf (New York Times: "We print the news as it fits our views.")
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To: nikos1121
Hillary will decide to step down from being the democratic nominee in return for the pardon, or maybe she won't and face and indictment and a very long trial. This, of course, is my opinion.

And mine is that she will have no reason to discontinue her campaign because her machine has significantly embarrassing evidence v him.

For that reason he will issue an all-inclusive pardon. Of course, issuing a pardon prior to her election would squash her chances so he will wait until after the votes are in but will act prior to the Joint Session of Congress.

8 posted on 01/22/2016 2:18:51 PM PST by frog in a pot (What if a previous liberal D says most of the things we are not hearing from the R candidates?)
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To: frog in a pot

I think, I’m implying exactly what you’re saying.

She will not quit her campaign, at any time. The Clinton’s are the most arrogant of the arrogant.

I forsee a behind the scenes move, as you predict, where by she gets the pardon for return of not taking Obama in any way with her, if she is allowed to be indicted.

The corruption runs so deep it’s sickening.

The republicans throw up thing like eminent domain for Trump and the twisting of Cruz’s Amnesty position.

NRO dumps our front runner...

In short, we’re eating at each when the real monster out there is Hillary Clinton and Obama...


9 posted on 01/22/2016 4:05:52 PM PST by nikos1121 (December 25, 2016 will be the merriest Christmas of all for me.)
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