Why did Nixon cover up the Watergate break-in?

Everyone knows that Watergate had something to do with a break-in at the Watergate building in Washington, DC. But it's not really ... allegation. However, Nixon certainly created an environment in which criminality was acceptable and even encouraged, and actively participated in covering up the crime. read more

While it’s common to say ‘it’s not the crime, it’s the cover up’ in relation to Watergate, that is with hindsight. The break-in was bad too, and it happened during a Presidential reelection. Absent a cover up, the plumbers would have not lied in court and connected the White House In testimony. Game changer in election. read more

President Nixon denied any knowledge of the break-in or cover-up, but ended up resigning when his role in the cover-up was revealed. President Nixon denied any knowledge of the break-in or cover-up, but ended up resigning when his role in the cover-up was revealed. read more

Watergate burglar James McCord testifies before the Senate Watergate Committee. (Keystone/Getty Images) On June 17, 1972, five men were caught attempting to bug the Democratic National Committee's offices in the Watergate, a residential/office complex in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood of DC. read more