BONUS: Why Didn't Nixon Destroy the Watergate Tapes?

BONUS: Why Didn't Nixon Destroy the Watergate Tapes?

Author: Liam Heffernan August 16, 2025 Duration: 10:49

In this bonus episode, UCL's Professor Iwan Morgan, author of Nixon, discusses why the President refused to destroy the Oval Office tapes - the most incriminating piece of evidence that ultimately led to his resignation from the White House.

...

Special guest for this episode:

  • Iwan Morgan, an emeritus professor of US Studies at University College London, and an expert on the US Presidency. His most recent books are Reagan: American Icon and FDR: Transforming the Presidency and Renewing America

...

Highlights from this episode:

  • Nixon's downfall was significantly influenced by his desire to maintain a favorable legacy, which ironically led to his undoing.
  • The investigation into Watergate involved many key figures beyond Woodward and Bernstein, including the FBI and Congress.
  • Nixon's reluctance to destroy the incriminating tapes stemmed from his aspirations for greatness and historical legacy.
  • The role of the FBI in uncovering the Watergate scandal was crucial, as they were pivotal in tracing the hush money involved.
  • Deep Throat's identity remained a secret for over thirty years, revealing the complexities of the investigation into Watergate.
  • Ultimately, Nixon's actions during the Watergate scandal overshadowed his significant achievements in foreign policy and environmental protection.

...

Additional Resources:

Nixon (Reputations Series) by Iwan Morgan

President Nixon and Watergate - Political change 1960-2000 - Eduqas - GCSE History Revision - Eduqas - BBC Bitesize

John Dean's Watergate Testimony 50 Years Later | Teaching American History

Burdick v. United States | 236 U.S. 79 (1915) | Justia U.S. Supreme Court Cente

...

And if you like this episode, you might also love:

What Was the Constitutional Convention?

Why Does the President Only Serve Two Terms?

Is the President Above the Law?

How Are Presidents Elected?

What is the US Constitution?

...

Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.com

Join the community: https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa - use code USA26 for 50% off your first month

Get the newsletter: https://america-the-story-of-the-usa.beehiiv.com/

Brand & advertising enquiries:...


Hosted by Liam Heffernan, America: The Story of the USA is a deep and ongoing conversation about the forces that have shaped the nation. This isn't just a history lesson; it's an exploration of how the past directly informs today's headlines and cultural shifts. Each episode brings together a remarkable range of voices, from Nobel laureates and acclaimed historians to veteran journalists, to dissect pivotal moments and current events with nuance and depth. You'll hear discussions that connect the dots between a centuries-old political decision and a modern social movement, or examine a breaking news story through the lens of long-standing cultural patterns. The aim is to provide a richer, more connected understanding of the American experience in all its complexity. By weaving together threads from history, politics, society, and culture, this podcast offers a comprehensive and thoughtful narrative. For those who want to look beyond the soundbites and understand the deeper currents running through the United States, this series serves as an essential and engaging resource. Tune in for a consistently insightful analysis that treats the American story as the living, evolving saga that it truly is.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

America: The Story of the USA
Podcast Episodes
What is the Mayflower? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:23
On this day in 1620, a boat carrying over pilgrims from Plymouth, England, set sail. It’s destination? The New World. The events that followed have been retold, mythicised, and immortalised as one of the defining moments…
BONUS: Should the US Treasury Be Independent from the President? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:15
In this bonus episode, we explore the intricate relationship between the U.S. Treasury and the broader financial system, the complexities of government finance, and its impact on our daily lives. We also discuss the sepa…
What is the History of California? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:01
On this day in 1850, the thirty-first state of the Union is admitted. So today, on its 175th birthday, I want to find out a little more about its history before statehood, the reasons why it became an important piece of…
BONUS: Houdini, London and the Unpickable Lock [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:48
This bonus episode delves deeper into the life and performances of the legendary magician Harry Houdini, with a focus on one of his most remarkable feats, at the London Hippodrome, where he was challenges to unpick the w…
IN THE MAKING: Is America Heading Towards a Trump Dictatorship? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:08
In this special solo edition of In The Making, I explore the troubling signs that suggest America might be inching towards a dictatorship under Donald Trump, and lay out the evidence indicating how he’s strategically sur…
What is the US Treasury? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:21
This week, we're diving deep into the world of money and the pivotal role the U.S. Treasury plays in shaping the American economy.Behind every success and failure in American history lies a story deeply intertwined with…
BONUS: What Would You Do in a Gold Rush? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:09
In this bonus episode, we unravel the age-old question of who decided gold was worth something in the first place. Spoiler alert: it’s not just about its shiny allure; there’s a whole lot of history and economics at play…
Who is Harry Houdini? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:31
Would you throw yourself over Niagara Falls in a barrel? Well, this week, we’re talking about the man who, allegedly, did just that. His performances have become the stuff of legend, including the one he did on this very…
BONUS: The Legacy of Emperor Norton [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:48
This bonus episode delves deeper into the intriguing subject of Emperor Norton, a figure who declared himself the Emperor of the United States, and the cultural implications of such a declaration.We touch on the unique n…