What Precedent Did Gerald Ford Set When He Pardoned Richard Nixon?

Unanticipated consequences of historic decisions

Historic decisions often have unanticipated consequences. President Gerald Ford pardoned disgraced President Richard Nixon less than a month after Nixon resigned from the presidency in 1974. In accepting the pardon, Nixon vaguely expressed “regret” over “mistakes” he made while president, but never admitted that he had engaged in illegal behavior, thoug…