Letter of resignation of U.S. President Richard Nixon

Text of Nixon's Resignation Letter

THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
August 9, 1974

Dear Mr. Secretary:

I hereby resign the Office of President of the United States.

Sincerely,

[Richard Nixon's signature]

HK 11:35 AM

The Honorable Henry A. Kissinger
The Secretary of State
Washington, D.C. 20520

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Comments

Foregoing the anticipated, "It has been a tremendous pleasure to be a part of the United States Government team. It has been a wonderful learning experience for me. I wish you and the United States continued success," Richard Nixon saw little reason to include any more than one sentence. I tried resigning with a letter like this once, but it didn't go over too well. I don't recommend resigning this way unless you find yourself embroiled in a scandal, and you are also the head of a successful Western nation.

Two further things seem odd to me about this letter:

- It is addressed to its recipient at the bottom of the page rather than the top,

- It is addressed to the Secretary of State (why not Congress; or better yet, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, who would be responsible for swearing in the new President?)

Henry Kissinger received and initialed the letter at 11:35 AM, making the President's resignation effective at that moment.

Update 4/24/04

The law dabcanboulet cites, USC Title 3, Chapter 1, §20, reads: "The only evidence of a refusal to accept, or of a resignation of the office of President or Vice President, shall be an instrument in writing, declaring the same, and subscribed by the person refusing to accept or resigning, as the case may be, and delivered into the office of the Secretary of State" (Cornell Law).