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John Mitchell and the Secrets of Watergate

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John Newton Mitchell (September 19, 1913 – November 9, 1988) was an American lawyer and politician who served as the 67th Attorney General of the United States from 1969 to 1972. A close friend and confidant of President Richard Nixon, Mitchell was a central figure in the Watergate scandal, which led to Nixon's resignation.

Early Life and Career

Mitchell was born in Detroit, Michigan, and graduated from Fordham University School of Law in 1938. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and after the war, he worked as a lawyer in New York City. In 1957, he was elected to the New York State Assembly, where he served for two terms.

The Strong Man: John Mitchell and the Secrets of Watergate

by James Rosen

4.6 out of 5

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In 1968, Mitchell was appointed by Nixon to be the campaign manager for Nixon's presidential campaign. After Nixon's victory, Mitchell was appointed Attorney General.

Attorney General

As Attorney General, Mitchell was responsible for enforcing the laws of the United States. He was also a close advisor to Nixon, and was involved in many of the President's most important decisions.

Mitchell was a controversial figure, and was often criticized for his authoritarian style. He was also accused of using his position to protect Nixon and his associates from prosecution.

Watergate Scandal

In 1972, Mitchell was implicated in the Watergate scandal, which involved the break-in of the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate Hotel in Washington, D.C. Mitchell was accused of knowing about the break-in in advance, and of trying to cover up the involvement of Nixon and other White House officials.

Mitchell was indicted on charges of obstruction of justice, perjury, and conspiracy. He was convicted on all charges and sentenced to 19 months in prison.

Later Years

Mitchell served 19 months in prison, and was released in 1977. After his release, he worked as a lawyer and wrote a book about his experiences in Watergate.

Mitchell died in Washington, D.C., on November 9, 1988.

Legacy

John Mitchell is remembered as one of the most controversial figures in American history. He was a close friend and confidant of President Richard Nixon, and was involved in many of the most important decisions of the Nixon administration. Mitchell was also a key figure in the Watergate scandal, which led to Nixon's resignation.

Mitchell's legacy is complex. He was a brilliant lawyer and a skilled politician, but he was also involved in some of the most unethical and illegal activities in American history. Mitchell's actions helped to undermine public trust in the government, and his legacy will continue to be debated for years to come.

Additional Resources

* [John Mitchell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Mitchell_(attorney_general)) on Wikipedia * [The Watergate Scandal](https://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/watergate) on History.com * [Richard Nixon](https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/presidents/richard-nixon/) on the White House website

The Strong Man: John Mitchell and the Secrets of Watergate

by James Rosen

4.6 out of 5