Following the Watergate scandal of the 1970s, the federal government enacted numerous laws designed to limit presidential power and implement extensive ethical reforms. However, a new analysis from the New York Times suggests that since his return to the White House, Donald Trump has been undermining these laws with alarming frequency, likening his actions to firing at targets in a shooting gallery.
The Watergate scandal, which began in 1972, involved President Richard Nixon’s illegal surveillance of his Democratic opponents, eventually leading to a cascade of revelations that revealed profound corruption within his administration. The scandal culminated in Nixon’s resignation in 1974, as public trust in the government plummeted. Recognizing the need for change, Congress launched a comprehensive reform initiative aimed at restoring faith in public institutions by curbing presidential authority.
In his second term, Trump has seemingly embraced a philosophy that seeks to reverse the post-Watergate constraints on presidential power, as articulated by Times journalist Matthew Purdy. He observed that Trump has systematically dismantled ethical safeguards that were established in response to Watergate.
From the outset of his renewed presidency, Trump has targeted institutions created to promote accountability and transparency. Among his early actions were the firings of 17 inspectors general—positions designed to detect government waste, fraud, and abuse. This aggressive approach was framed by Trump and his newly formed office, the “DOGE,” as an effort to tackle inefficiency within the federal government.
Purdy further discussed Trump’s dismissals, which included the head of the Office of Special Counsel, an independent agency established in 1978 to protect whistleblowers, and the director of the Office of Government Ethics, created with the intent of preventing conflicts of interest among government officials. Trump has also utilized the Justice Department and FBI for political gain, counter to their intended roles designed to protect the integrity of governance post-Watergate.
Ultimately, the analysis suggests that these actions empower Trump to reshape the presidency to his personal interests, leveraging the Office for personal vendettas and rewarding those in his inner circle while benefiting his family’s businesses. By erasing barriers that could check his authority, Trump has adopted a style of leadership that prioritizes personal ambition over the ethical foundations established decades ago.
These developments pose significant questions about the future of ethical governance and accountability in U.S. leadership, making it imperative for the public and lawmakers to remain vigilant in safeguarding the democratic principles shaped in the aftermath of Watergate.