Who was the United States President during the Watergate hearings who later resigned from office?

• A. Gerald Ford
• B. Lyndon Johnson
• C. Richard Nixon
• D. Jimmy Carter

Answer: (C)

This question tests knowledge of a president who faced serious scandal and chose to step down rather than face removal. Richard Nixon was the president in office during the Watergate investigations. As the evidence and political pressure mounted, the threat of impeachment grew, and Nixon decided to resign. He did so on August 8, 1974, becoming the only U.S. president to resign from office. His departure led to Gerald Ford becoming president, and Ford later issued a pardon for Nixon.

The other names were presidents at different times and did not resign in connection with Watergate: Lyndon Johnson left office in 1969 after his term ended and did not resign amid a scandal, and Jimmy Carter served from 1977 to 1981. Gerald Ford, who followed Nixon, did not resign.