On September 8, 1974, President Gerald Ford issued Proclamation 4311 granting former President Richard Nixon a full and unconditional pardon for any crimes he might have committed against the United States while in office. The decision came in the wake of the Watergate scandal and Nixon’s resignation the previous month. Ford argued that the pardon would help the country move past the crisis and focus on other pressing issues. Many Americans, however, viewed the move as unfair and politically motivated, and Ford’s approval ratings dropped sharply. Historians continue to debate the long-term impact of the pardon on public trust and presidential accountability.
