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What happened to Nixons first vice president?

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What happened to Nixons first vice president?

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Nixon’s first vice president, Spiro T. Agnew, resigned on October 10, 1973, after being charged with tax evasion and accepting bribes while serving as the governor of Maryland. He pleaded no contest to a charge of tax evasion as part of a plea deal and resigned from office.

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How did Gerald Ford become vice president.

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How did Gerald Ford become vice president.

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After Agnew’s resignation, President Richard Nixon appointed Gerald Ford as vice president under the 25th Amendment, which allows the president to nominate a new vice president in case of a vacancy. Ford was confirmed by both the House and the Senate and was sworn in as vice president on December 6, 1973.

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Ford became president after Nixon resigned on August 8, 1974, due to the Watergate scandal. Nixon, facing almost certain impeachment and removal, chose to step down. As vice president, Ford was next in line and was sworn in as the 38th president of the United States on August 9, 1974.

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How did Ford decide to handle Nixon after his resolution.

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How did Ford decide to handle Nixon after his resolution.

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One month after taking office, on September 8, 1974, Ford issued a full and unconditional pardon to Nixon for any crimes he may have committed while in office. Ford justified the pardon by saying it was necessary to help the country move past the Watergate scandal and heal. However, the decision was controversial and likely hurt Ford politically, contributing to his loss in the 1976 presidential election.

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The 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1967, addresses presidential succession, disability, and vice-presidential vacancies, ensuring smooth transitions of power and addressing potential presidential incapacitation.

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Agnew formally submitted his resignation in a brief letter addressed to Nixon. The letter read:

"I hereby resign the Office of Vice President of the United States, effective immediately."

This was a standard and legally required letter, submitted amid his legal troubles related to bribery and tax evasion.

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Nixon nominated Gerald R. Ford as vice president on October 12, 1973.

Ford was a well-respected House Minority Leader (Republican from Michigan) with strong bipartisan support.

Nixon likely selected Ford because he was seen as honest, loyal, and capable of gaining approval from Congress.

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The letter was dated August 9, 1974, and was delivered to Henry Kissinger at 11:35 AM. Shortly after, Gerald Ford was sworn in as the 38th President of the United States.