After the resignation of Richard Nixon due to his involvement in the Watergate Scandal, what man commented that “Our long national nightmare is over?” Question 5Select one: a. Richard Nixon b. Gerald Ford c. Henry Kissinger d. Archibald Cox e. Spiro Agnew
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer: b. Gerald Ford
Explanation:
On August 9, 1974, following the resignation of President Richard Nixon due to the Watergate scandal, Vice President Gerald R. Ford was sworn in as the 38th President of the United States. During his inaugural address, President Ford famously declared:
“My fellow Americans, our long national nightmare is over.”
This powerful statement was meant to assure the American people that the political crisis surrounding Watergate — which had deeply shaken public trust in government — had come to an end. Ford’s words reflected the desire for healing and unity after a prolonged period of scandal, investigation, and uncertainty.
Background on the Watergate Scandal:
The Watergate scandal began with a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate complex in Washington, D.C., in 1972, and expanded into a massive political scandal involving widespread abuse of power by members of the Nixon administration. President Nixon attempted to cover up the break-in and obstruct the investigation, which ultimately led to his resignation — the only time a U.S. president has resigned from office.
Who Were the Other Options?
- a. Richard Nixon: He was the one who resigned, not the one who made the statement.
- c. Henry Kissinger: Secretary of State under Nixon and Ford, but not the source of this quote.
- d. Archibald Cox: The special prosecutor investigating Watergate, who was famously fired during the “Saturday Night Massacre.”
- e. Spiro Agnew: Nixon’s first vice president who resigned in 1973 due to an unrelated corruption scandal.
Therefore, Gerald Ford is the correct answer — he assumed office after Nixon’s resignation and sought to bring stability, beginning with the hopeful words, “Our long national nightmare is over.”