Ron Ziegler's final press briefing - ABC footage - 1974-08-08
Channel: malgent
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Read a transcript preview of “Ron Ziegler's final press briefing - ABC footage - 1974-08-08” from malgent, uploaded on 2024-08-07.
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Language: English (original, YouTube automatic captions)
[0:12] I'm aware of the intense interest of the
[0:16] American people
[0:18] and of you in this room
[0:21] concerning developments today and over
[0:22] the last few days.
[0:26] This has of course not been a has been a
[0:28] difficult time.
[0:31] The President of the United States will
[0:33] meet various members of the bipartisan
[0:35] leadership of Congress here at the White
[0:37] House
[0:38] early this evening.
[0:41] Tonight at 9:00 Eastern Daylight Time
[0:44] the President of the United States will
[0:46] address the nation
[0:47] on radio and television
[0:49] from his Oval Office.
[0:58] As the President arrived at his office
[1:00] today, he began implementing the steps
[1:02] which will lead to his departure. Vice
[1:04] President Ford was summoned for an hour
[1:06] 10-minute discussion on how to handle an
[1:08] orderly transition.
[1:10] The President observed him and engaged
[1:12] in verbal combat over the years. Felt
[1:13] Ziegler's appearance confirmed the
[1:15] resignation reports. Haig privately said
[1:18] yes, they were true, but would not give
[1:19] details. The official announcement is
[1:22] being left for the President.
[1:24] The pressure built quickly and became
[1:25] unbearable when both Republicans in
[1:27] Congress and some senior White House
[1:29] staff members demanded he quit.
[1:31] The final decision came after Mr. Nixon
[1:33] dined with his family last night
[1:35] following a lengthy discussion with
[1:37] Secretary of State Kissinger. First
[1:39] thing today, if members were stunned by
[1:41] the quick turn of events, we saw some
[1:43] men who have traveled with the President
[1:44] since the beginning fighting back tears.
[1:47] Other aides methodically went through
[1:48] the motions of work at their desk
[1:50] without knowing