Gerald Ford, who became the 38th President of the United States following Richard Nixon's resignation in 1974, signed a proclamation granting Nixon a full pardon for any crimes he may have committed during his presidency. This decision came in the wake of the Watergate scandal, a major political event characterized by the break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters and the subsequent cover-up efforts by Nixon and his administration, which ultimately led to the President's resignation. Ford believed that pardoning Nixon was necessary to unify the nation and enable it to move forward from the political turmoil that had enveloped it for several years.

The pardon was announced during a press conference held at the White House, as Ford noted his desire to put an end to the long national nightmare and believed that legal proceedings against Nixon would only prolong the discord. The decision was met with immediate criticism, with many Americans feeling that Nixon had escaped accountability for serious offenses. The public's reaction was polarized; while some praised Ford’s decision as a step toward healing, others condemned it as a betrayal of the justice system.

In the months following the pardon, Ford's approval ratings declined sharply, illustrating the depth of public anger over the decision. It became a defining moment of his presidency and cast a long shadow over his administration. Nixon's pardon also raised significant questions regarding presidential power and the limits of accountability, contributing to a lasting legacy of skepticism toward government officials and their legal protections. Ford's actions remain a highly debated topic in American political discourse.