Buzhardt and Haig go over the President’s options including the possibility he could pardon himself and then resign or wait for Ford to pardon him.

Haig and Buzhardt meet with those preparing Nixon’s defense, but they continue to withhold information on the June 23 revelations. After the full group leaves, they tell Price what’s on the tape so he can begin preparing remarks when the transcript is released.

Haig and Buzhardt tell more staffers about the June 23 tape while St. Clair tells Ford impeachment is now certain.

In the evening, Haig shares the news of the tape with Buchanan who recalls the diligence put into preparing the President’s statement in May. Buchanan says Nixon will need to resign. All assume the resignation will happen on Monday to coincide with the disclosure of the tapes to the committee.

Nixon’s daughter wants him to fight to the end, but fears what will happen if his staff resigns in large numbers. Buchanan tells them the party will be ruined if he stays on. Simply put, the President had lied to the country and there is no coming back from it.

Senator Griffin writes Nixon a letter saying resignation is the best course of action.

Buchanan and Price are livid when they learn the President had known about the June 23 tape prior to their work on his defense statement in May. Ziegler denies the President had listened to the tape, but multiple sources confirm it, specifically Buzhardt whom Nixon had told to listen to the June 23 tape only weeks earlier. Back at the White House, Steve Bull also confirms the President listened to the tape on May 6 and told as much to the grand jury.

In morning, Haig begins the process of telling key Republicans, including George Bush, hoping that all would be of the same mind that the President should resign. Haig also contacts Jaworski, but doesn’t disclose the exact nature of the tape.

Ziegler explains the situation to his staff and asks that they support the President in this difficult time.

Haig assembles the White House staff and reads Nixon’s statement about the new tape at around the same time it is being released to the press.

Ford begins to distance himself from the President in a statement saying Ford will no longer participate in anything related to Watergate and that he sees no use in repeating his claims that the President did nothing to be impeached.

Nixon calls a Cabinet meeting and explains if he thought any of his actions were impeachable, he would resign, but at this point he intends to stay through a Senate trial. (This is Nixon’s final Cabinet meeting.) After the meeting Barry Goldwater tells Haig that Nixon will only receive a little over a dozen votes in his favor from the Senate. Then Goldwater tells Ford the President should resign immediately. Later, Goldwater speaks with Haig reiterates that the President will lose, adding that Nixon has lied to him for the last time. Still, Nixon is unconvinced.

Nixon gives Haig and Ziegler some notes to be used in his resignation speech.

Haig tells Goldwater and Burch that they should not pressure the President as that tends to harden his resolve. They should simply lay out the reality of his chances in the Senate.

Nixon’s sons-in-law lay out the reasons for and against resignation for Nixon.

By the end of the day, a draft of the President’s schedule for the next day circulates culminating in an address to the nation during which he’ll announce his resignation.

Nixon has an emotional meeting with Henry Kissinger who says he’ll be remembered for ending Vietnam and other accomplishments. (Privately Kissinger believes Watergate will dominate Nixon’s legacy.)

Nixon meets with the Vice President to discuss how the transition will play out.

In the early afternoon, Ziegler tells the press that the President will meet with members of Congress that evening and then address the nation.

As his transition continues, Ford receives a foreign policy update from Kissinger.

At 9:00pm, President Nixon addresses the nation and announces “Therefore, I shall resign the presidency effective at noon tomorrow.” He spends much of the speech outlining his successes as President. After the speech, he gives the remaining presidential souvenirs he has in his desk to the television crew.

Ford and his team begin making calls to fill out his new staff.

Nixon leaves the White House and returns to California. Gerald Ford is sworn in as President of the United States at 12:05pm. He gives an eight minute speech saying, “My fellow Americans, our long national nightmare is over.”