Understand
Jamelle Bouie Discusses the Right-Wing Rehabilitation of Richard Nixon and Parallels with Donald Trump
Overview
Jamelle Bouie analyzes efforts by right-wing commentators and the Trump administration to rehabilitate Richard Nixon's reputation, framing Watergate as a 'deep state' plot. Bouie argues that these efforts mirror defenses of Donald Trump, who faces historically low approval ratings among independents. Reviewing the historical record, Bouie emphasizes that Watergate involved serious crimes and abuses of presidential power, and notes that the conservative movement's response to Nixon's downfall helped shape the modern 'unitary executive' theory.
Key points
- Right-wing commentators and allies of Donald Trump are attempting to rehabilitate Richard Nixon, framing the Watergate scandal as a deep state plot.
- Donald Trump's current approval ratings among independents have dropped to unusually low levels, approaching Nixon-era territory.
- Watergate was a serious series of crimes and flagrant abuses of power, including secret wars, illegal spying, and using the IRS against political enemies, which rightfully led to Nixon's resignation.
- Conservatives reacted to Nixon's resignation by developing the 'unitary executive' theory to prevent Republican presidents from being held accountable for abuses of power.
- Figures associated with the Nixon administration, such as William Barr, have subsequently helped facilitate similar abuses of power in later Republican administrations, including Trump's.