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 t… - Gerald Ford
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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.
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About
Gerald Ford
Gerald Rudolph Ford Jr. (born Leslie Lynch King Jr.; July 14, 1913 – December 26, 2006) was an American politician who served as the 38th president of the United States from 1974 to 1977. Prior to this he was the 40th vice president of the United States, serving from 1973 until President Richard Nixon's resignation in 1974. He was the first person appointed to the vice presidency under the terms of the 25th Amendment, following the resignation of Vice President Spiro Agnew on October 10, 1973. Becoming president upon Richard Nixon's departure on August 9, 1974, he claimed the distinction as the first and to date the only person to have served as both vice president and president of the United States without being elected to either office. Before ascending to the vice presidency, Ford served 25 years as the U.S. representative from Michigan's 5th congressional district, the final 9 of them as the House minority leader.
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Wikiquote·
Portrait adapted from
Wikimedia Commons, David Hume Kennerly (Public domain / CC0)
Also Known As
Birth Name:
Leslie Lynch King Jr.
Alternative Names:
Gerald Rudolph Ford Jr.
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Gerald R. Ford
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President Ford
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G. R. Ford
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Gerald Ford Jr.
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Gerald Rudolph "Jerry" Ford Jr.
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Gerald Rudolph Ford
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Ford
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Leslie Lynch King, Jr.
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Leslie Lynch King
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Leslie King
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Gerald Rudolph Ford, Jr.
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Gerald R. Ford Jr.
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Gerald R. Ford, Jr.
I have always felt that the real purpose of government is to enhance the lives of people and that a leader can best do that by restraining government in most cases instead of enlarging it at every opportunity.
He's the smartest guy in Congress, but he insists on voting his conscience instead of party.
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It is not the ultimate fate of Richard Nixon that most concerns me, though surely it deeply troubles every decent and every compassionate person. My concern is the immediate future of this great country. In this, I dare not depend upon my personal sympathy as a long-time friend of the former President, nor my professional judgment as a lawyer, and I do not. As President, my primary concern must always be the greatest good of all the people of the United States whose servant I am. As a man, my first consideration is to be true to my own convictions and my own conscience.
