politics
Alexander Butterfield, former top Nixon White House aide whose testimony transformed Watergate investigation, dies
Alexander Butterfield, a former top aide to President Richard Nixon whose disclosure of a secret taping system in the White House dramatically shaped the Watergate scandal, ultimately leading to Nixon’s resignation, has died. He was 99.
TL;DR
- Alexander Butterfield, a former top aide to President Richard Nixon, has died at 99.
- Butterfield revealed the existence of a secret White House taping system in 1973.
- This disclosure significantly impacted the Watergate scandal, leading to Nixon's resignation.
- He was responsible for overseeing the installation of the taping system in 1971.
- Butterfield stated he felt compelled to answer truthfully when asked directly about the tapes.
- The tapes, including the 'smoking gun' tape, proved Nixon's involvement in the cover-up.
- Butterfield was never charged in the scandal.
- He had a career in the Air Force and later served in the Nixon administration before resigning in 1975.
- A 2016 book by Bob Woodward focused on Butterfield's role.