Gerald Ford 1974 presidential inauguration
Encyclopedia
The inauguration of Gerald Ford as the 38th President of the United States
was held on August 9, 1974. The inauguration is the most recent non-scheduled inauguration in American history, and marked the commencement of the two-and-a-half-year term of Gerald Ford
as President, following the resignation of Richard Nixon
. Ford had become Vice President on December 6, 1973 after the resignation of Spiro Agnew
, and as such is the only person to have held both the office of Vice President and President without having been elected to either.
to hand over White House tapes that had been subpoenaed by Special Prosecutor Leon Jaworski
. These tapes contained incriminating evidence that would lead to President Nixon's resignation. On August 8, 1974, Nixon addressed the nation and the world, announcing he would resign the presidency effective noon the following day.
At nine in the morning, President Nixon, addressed the White House staff and selected dignitaries, including the Cabinet and Vice President
Ford. It was an emotional affair, with the President nearly breaking down a number of times. When it was finished, Vice-President Ford escorted the President and First Lady
to a waiting helicopter, where the President waved his famous "v-sign" before flying off to Air Force One and a flight to "exile" in California. The nuclear codes
were left in the care of the Vice President.
Henry Kissinger
at 11:35 a.m. At that moment Ford was made president, but he took the oath of office at 12:05 p.m. The oath was administered to Ford by Chief Justice
Warren Burger in the White House
East Room
.
"...I am acutely aware that you have not elected me as your President by your ballots, and so I ask you to confirm me as your President with your prayers. And I hope that such prayers will also be the first of many.
If you have not chosen me by secret ballot, neither have I gained office by any secret promises. I have not campaigned either for the Presidency or the Vice Presidency. I have not subscribed to any partisan platform. I am indebted to no man, and only to one woman—my dear wife—as I begin this very difficult job...
...My fellow Americans, our long national nightmare is over.
Our Constitution works; our great Republic is a government of laws and not of men. Here the people rule. But there is a higher Power, by whatever name we honor Him, who ordains not only righteousness but love, not only justice but mercy..." Immediately after the 850 word address was over, Ford introduced his new press secretary, Jerald TerHorst
to the press corps, and met with the Cabinet.
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
was held on August 9, 1974. The inauguration is the most recent non-scheduled inauguration in American history, and marked the commencement of the two-and-a-half-year term of Gerald Ford
Gerald Ford
Gerald Rudolph "Jerry" Ford, Jr. was the 38th President of the United States, serving from 1974 to 1977, and the 40th Vice President of the United States serving from 1973 to 1974...
as President, following the resignation of Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon
Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under...
. Ford had become Vice President on December 6, 1973 after the resignation of Spiro Agnew
Spiro Agnew
Spiro Theodore Agnew was the 39th Vice President of the United States , serving under President Richard Nixon, and the 55th Governor of Maryland...
, and as such is the only person to have held both the office of Vice President and President without having been elected to either.
Nixon's resignation
On August 5, 1974, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 8–0 to force President Richard NixonRichard Nixon
Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under...
to hand over White House tapes that had been subpoenaed by Special Prosecutor Leon Jaworski
Leon Jaworski
Leonidas "Leon" Jaworski was the second Special Prosecutor during the Watergate Scandal...
. These tapes contained incriminating evidence that would lead to President Nixon's resignation. On August 8, 1974, Nixon addressed the nation and the world, announcing he would resign the presidency effective noon the following day.
Nixon's farewell
Vice President of the United States
The Vice President of the United States is the holder of a public office created by the United States Constitution. The Vice President, together with the President of the United States, is indirectly elected by the people, through the Electoral College, to a four-year term...
Ford. It was an emotional affair, with the President nearly breaking down a number of times. When it was finished, Vice-President Ford escorted the President and First Lady
Pat Nixon
Thelma Catherine "Pat" Ryan Nixon was the wife of Richard Nixon, 37th President of the United States, and was First Lady of the United States from 1969 to 1974. She was commonly known as Patricia or Pat Nixon.Born in Nevada, Pat Ryan grew up in Los Angeles, California...
to a waiting helicopter, where the President waved his famous "v-sign" before flying off to Air Force One and a flight to "exile" in California. The nuclear codes
Nuclear football
The nuclear football is a briefcase, the contents of which are to be used by the President of the United States of America to authorize a nuclear attack while away from fixed command centers, such as the White House Situation Room...
were left in the care of the Vice President.
Swearing-in
With Nixon having left the building, The White House staff began preparations Ford's swearing in. More chairs were added for the much larger crowd of invited guests than was at the farewell. Nixon's resignation was tendered to United States Secretary of StateUnited States Secretary of State
The United States Secretary of State is the head of the United States Department of State, concerned with foreign affairs. The Secretary is a member of the Cabinet and the highest-ranking cabinet secretary both in line of succession and order of precedence...
Henry Kissinger
Henry Kissinger
Heinz Alfred "Henry" Kissinger is a German-born American academic, political scientist, diplomat, and businessman. He is a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. He served as National Security Advisor and later concurrently as Secretary of State in the administrations of Presidents Richard Nixon and...
at 11:35 a.m. At that moment Ford was made president, but he took the oath of office at 12:05 p.m. The oath was administered to Ford by Chief Justice
Chief Justice of the United States
The Chief Justice of the United States is the head of the United States federal court system and the chief judge of the Supreme Court of the United States. The Chief Justice is one of nine Supreme Court justices; the other eight are the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States...
Warren Burger in the White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
East Room
East Room
The East Room is the largest room in the White House, the home of the president of the United States. It is used for entertaining, press conferences, ceremonies, and occasionally for a large dinner...
.
Address
Ford gave a speech immediately after taking the oath:"...I am acutely aware that you have not elected me as your President by your ballots, and so I ask you to confirm me as your President with your prayers. And I hope that such prayers will also be the first of many.
If you have not chosen me by secret ballot, neither have I gained office by any secret promises. I have not campaigned either for the Presidency or the Vice Presidency. I have not subscribed to any partisan platform. I am indebted to no man, and only to one woman—my dear wife—as I begin this very difficult job...
...My fellow Americans, our long national nightmare is over.
Our Constitution works; our great Republic is a government of laws and not of men. Here the people rule. But there is a higher Power, by whatever name we honor Him, who ordains not only righteousness but love, not only justice but mercy..." Immediately after the 850 word address was over, Ford introduced his new press secretary, Jerald TerHorst
Jerald terHorst
Jerald Franklin "Jerry" terHorst was the first person to serve as press secretary for U.S. President Gerald Ford. Before being appointed press secretary, terHorst had been a newspaper reporter from Michigan who had covered Ford's career since 1948.-Early career:Jerald terHorst was born in Grand...
to the press corps, and met with the Cabinet.