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QuizMultiple Choice

The Bush and Clinton Presidencies — Unit test

Question 1 • MCPSS AL-Grade 6 United States Studies: The Industrial Revolution to the Present - Summer School 2026

What was President Nixon’s first reaction to the special prosecutor’s request for the Watergate tapes?

Answer
A
He fired the attorney general for refusing to fire the special prosecutor.
B
He fired both the special prosecutor and his own attorney general.
C
He turned over the tapes immediately without taking any other action.
D
He ordered his attorney general to destroy the Watergate tapes.

Explanation

Nixon’s first reaction was the Saturday Night Massacre. When the special prosecutor demanded the Watergate tapes, Nixon ordered Attorney General Elliot Richardson to dismiss him; Richardson refused and resigned. Nixon then fired Richardson’s deputy, William Ruckelshaus, after he also refused, before Solicitor General Robert Bork carried out the dismissal. So choice A is the closest match: Nixon fired the attorney general after he refused to fire the special prosecutor.

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.

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