Presidential Resignation Address
Delivered live on national television from the Oval Office on August 8, 1974, announcing his resignation in the wake of the Watergate scandal.
Full Transcript
Good evening. This is the 37th time I have spoken to you from this office, where so many decisions have been made that shaped the history of this Nation.
In all the decisions I have made in my public life, I have always tried to do what was best for the Nation. Throughout the long and difficult period of Watergate, I have felt it was my duty to persevere, to make every possible effort to complete the term of office to which you elected me.
In the past few days, however, it has become evident to me that I no longer have a sufficiently strong political base in the Congress to justify continuing that effort.
Therefore, I shall resign the Presidency effective at noon tomorrow. Vice President Ford will be sworn in as President at that hour in this office.
Defining Key Excerpts
"I shall resign the Presidency effective at noon tomorrow."
"I have never been a quitter. To leave office before my term is completed is abhorrent to every instinct in my body."
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