What is the name of the political scandal that led to President Nixon's resignation?

The political scandal that ultimately led to President Richard Nixon's resignation is known as Watergate. This complex series of events began with a seemingly minor break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters, located in the Watergate office-apartment-hotel complex in Washington, D.C., on June 17, 1972. Five burglars were arrested at the scene, having attempted to bug the offices. These individuals were later linked to President Nixon's re-election campaign, specifically the Committee to Re-elect the President (CREEP).

What started as a burglary quickly escalated into a major political crisis due to the administration's efforts to cover up its involvement. The White House destroyed evidence, obstructed investigations, and even bribed the burglars to maintain their silence. Journalists, most notably Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein of The Washington Post, played a crucial role in uncovering the truth, guided by an anonymous source known as "Deep Throat." Their persistent reporting, along with congressional inquiries and a special prosecutor, gradually revealed the extent of the cover-up and the abuse of power within the Nixon administration.

A pivotal moment arrived with the revelation of secret White House tape recordings, which were suspected to contain conversations about the scandal. After a legal battle, the Supreme Court ordered Nixon to release these tapes. One recording, often referred to as the "smoking gun" tape, undeniably proved Nixon's involvement in the cover-up as early as June 1972. Facing imminent impeachment by the House of Representatives, Richard Nixon resigned from the presidency on August 9, 1974, becoming the only U.S. president to do so. The scandal resulted in charges against 69 individuals, with 48 convicted, and left a lasting impact on American politics, fostering greater public distrust in government and inspiring significant reforms in campaign finance and ethics.