Saturday Night Massacre

Definition

The Saturday Night Massacre refers to a series of events that occurred on October 20, 1973, during the Watergate scandal, when President Richard Nixon ordered the firing of the special prosecutor investigating the Watergate break-in, leading to the resignations of the Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Saturday Night Massacre occurred when President Nixon ordered the firing of special prosecutor Archibald Cox, who was investigating the Watergate break-in and cover-up.
2. When Nixon's Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General refused to carry out the order to fire Cox, they both resigned in protest, leading to the appointment of a new Attorney General who then fired Cox.
3. The Saturday Night Massacre was a major turning point in the Watergate scandal, as it was seen as an abuse of presidential power and obstruction of the investigation.
4. The events of the Saturday Night Massacre eroded public trust in the Nixon administration and contributed to the eventual impeachment proceedings against the president.
5. The Saturday Night Massacre highlighted the tension between the executive branch and the rule of law, as Nixon sought to undermine the independent investigation into his administration's wrongdoing.

Review Questions

• Explain the key events that unfolded during the Saturday Night Massacre and how they were connected to the Watergate scandal.
  • The Saturday Night Massacre occurred on October 20, 1973, when President Richard Nixon ordered the firing of special prosecutor Archibald Cox, who was leading the investigation into the Watergate break-in and subsequent cover-up by the Nixon administration. When Nixon's Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General refused to carry out the order to fire Cox, they both resigned in protest. This led to the appointment of a new Attorney General who then fired Cox, effectively shutting down the independent investigation. The Saturday Night Massacre was a pivotal moment in the Watergate scandal, as it was seen as a blatant abuse of presidential power and an attempt to obstruct the investigation into the administration's wrongdoing.
• Analyze how the Saturday Night Massacre impacted public trust in the Nixon administration and the impeachment proceedings that followed.
  • The Saturday Night Massacre severely eroded public trust in the Nixon administration, as it was viewed as a flagrant disregard for the rule of law and an attempt to cover up the administration's involvement in the Watergate scandal. The resignations of the Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General in protest, and the subsequent firing of the special prosecutor, highlighted the administration's willingness to undermine the independent investigation. This contributed to the growing calls for Nixon's impeachment, as the public became increasingly disillusioned with the president's actions. The Saturday Night Massacre was a key factor in the eventual impeachment proceedings against Nixon, as it demonstrated a clear abuse of presidential power and a lack of accountability within the administration.
• Evaluate the long-term implications of the Saturday Night Massacre on the balance of power between the executive branch and the rule of law in the United States.
  • The Saturday Night Massacre had significant long-term implications for the balance of power between the executive branch and the rule of law in the United States. The president's attempt to interfere with an independent investigation and the subsequent resignations of senior officials highlighted the potential for abuse of executive power. This event reinforced the importance of checks and balances within the government, as well as the need for independent oversight and accountability. The fallout from the Saturday Night Massacre contributed to the eventual resignation of President Nixon, demonstrating that even the highest-ranking officials are not above the law. This incident also led to reforms, such as the establishment of the Office of the Independent Counsel, to help ensure the integrity of future investigations into government wrongdoing. The lasting impact of the Saturday Night Massacre was a strengthening of the system of checks and balances and a reaffirmation of the principle that no one, including the president, is above the law.

Related terms

Watergate Scandal:

The Watergate scandal was a major US political scandal in the 1970s that eventually led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon. It began with the 1972 break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate office complex in Washington, D.C. and the subsequent cover-up by the Nixon administration.

Special Prosecutor: A special prosecutor is an independent investigator appointed to look into alleged wrongdoing by high-ranking government officials, typically when the regular justice system may have a conflict of interest.

Impeachment:

Impeachment is the process by which a legislative body (usually a parliament or congress) brings charges against a civil officer of government for crimes alleged to have been committed while in office.