Fact Check: "Nixon's secretary erased crucial Watergate tapes, altering history's course."
What We Know
The claim that Nixon's secretary erased crucial Watergate tapes is rooted in the historical context of the Watergate scandal, which ultimately led to President Richard Nixon's resignation in 1974. Nixon installed a voice-activated taping system in the Oval Office and other locations to record conversations, which became central to the investigation into the Watergate break-in and subsequent cover-up (Nixon White House tapes).
Among the tapes, there was a notable 18.5-minute gap in one of the recordings, which was later attributed to an accidental erasure by Nixon's secretary, Rose Mary Woods. Woods claimed that she inadvertently erased this section while transcribing the tapes (ABC News). The existence of the taping system was confirmed during Senate hearings, and the tapes were crucial in revealing Nixon's involvement in the Watergate cover-up (Watergate scandal).
Analysis
While it is true that Rose Mary Woods was responsible for the erasure of a portion of the tapes, the assertion that this act "altered history's course" is more complex. The tapes themselves contained significant evidence of Nixon's wrongdoing, and the gap, while suspicious, did not eliminate the overwhelming evidence that led to Nixon's resignation (Washington Post).
The credibility of the claim hinges on the interpretation of the significance of the erased tapes. The gap was indeed a point of contention and speculation, leading to various theories about its contents (Progressive). However, the broader context of the Watergate scandal, including the break-in and subsequent cover-up efforts, was already well-documented and led to Nixon's downfall regardless of the missing minutes.
Woods' reliability as a source is also questionable, as she was a loyal aide to Nixon and may have had motivations to downplay the significance of the erasure. Additionally, the narrative surrounding the tapes has been shaped by political and media interpretations over the years, which can introduce bias (ABC News).
Conclusion
The claim that "Nixon's secretary erased crucial Watergate tapes, altering history's course" is False. While Rose Mary Woods did erase a portion of the tapes, this act did not fundamentally change the trajectory of the Watergate scandal or Nixon's eventual resignation. The tapes that remained provided ample evidence of wrongdoing, and the historical narrative surrounding Watergate is not solely dependent on the erased minutes.
