Ford took over after Nixon's resignation from "summary" of The Promise by Jonathan Alter
Gerald Ford assumed the presidency after Richard Nixon resigned in disgrace on August 8, 1974. Ford, who had been the vice president under Nixon, was now tasked with leading a nation weary from the Watergate scandal. He faced a daunting challenge of restoring trust in the presidency and healing a divided country.
Ford's first act as president was to address the American people and reassure them that the long national nightmare was over. In his inaugural address, he declared, "My fellow Americans, our long national nightmare is over. Our Constitution works; our great Republic is a government of laws and not of men."
Ford's presidency was marked by his efforts to bring transparency and honesty back to the White House. He made the controversial decision to pardon Nixon for any crimes he may have committed during his time in office, believing it was the best way to move forward and avoid a prolonged legal battle that would further divide the nation.
Despite his efforts to unify the country, Ford faced numerous challenges during his presidency, including an economic recession, high inflation, and the fall of Saigon in Vietnam. His decision to pardon Nixon proved to be unpopular with many Americans and damaged his reputation.
In the end, Ford was defeated in the 1976 presidential election by Jimmy Carter, who ran on a platform of change and reform. Ford's presidency, though brief, was a crucial moment in American history, as he worked to restore integrity to the office of the president and heal a nation reeling from the Watergate scandal.
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