The name Richard Nixon still evokes strong reactions, often rooted in the trauma of Watergate and the constitutional crisis it triggered. As a young person during that period, I shared the widespread condemnation, convinced he represented a uniquely dangerous low point in American leadership. But looking back, and more urgently, looking at the present, a disquieting thought has taken hold: compared to the current political landscape, Nixon, for all his flaws, appears almost…reasonable.
It’s a jarring realization, to be sure. The abuses of power under Nixon – the break-ins, the cover-ups, the documented paranoia and, yes, the deeply troubling antisemitic remarks revealed by the tapes – remain indelible stains on his legacy. The Watergate scandal, meticulously documented by the National Archives, fundamentally altered the relationship between the American people and their government. Yet, the scale and nature of the challenges to democratic norms today force a difficult comparison. Nixon, at least, operated within a recognizable, if deeply flawed, framework of governance.
A Different Kind of Transgression
The key difference isn’t necessarily the *presence* of wrongdoing, but the *character* of it. Nixon’s transgressions, while serious, were largely about preserving his power within the existing system. The current moment feels defined by attempts to dismantle the system itself. He didn’t attempt to overturn free and fair elections, nor did he openly court foreign interference in American democracy. He complied with a Supreme Court ruling forcing him to release incriminating tapes, and he resigned when faced with near-certain impeachment. That willingness to accept the consequences, however belated, stands in stark contrast to the ongoing resistance to accountability seen today.
This isn’t to exonerate Nixon. His actions were reprehensible and eroded public trust. But the context matters. As journalist Dick Polman recently argued, the current political climate demands a reassessment, however uncomfortable.
Unexpected Areas of Common Ground
Beyond the contrast in approaches to upholding democratic institutions, a closer seem reveals surprising areas where Nixon’s policies align with goals often associated with modern progressivism. Perhaps most notably, Nixon was a surprisingly ardent environmentalist. He signed the National Environmental Policy Act in 1970, creating the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). He also signed the Endangered Species Act and the Clean Water Act into law. In a 1972 speech, he declared, “the federal government must provide leadership” in addressing environmental concerns.
His foreign policy record also presents complexities. While known for his opening to China, Nixon also worked to maintain a strong NATO alliance, calling it in 1969 “one of the great successes of the postwar world” and emphasizing its importance as both a military and “moral force.” NATO’s official history confirms Nixon’s commitment to the alliance during a period of significant geopolitical tension.
Healthcare and Social Safety Nets
Perhaps the most surprising aspect of Nixon’s legacy is his pursuit of universal healthcare. He proposed a system with employer-mandated insurance and federal subsidies, provisions that were, in fact, more generous than those ultimately included in the Affordable Care Act (ACA). As Polman notes, the plan failed not because of opposition from Republicans, but because Democrats, led by Senator Ted Kennedy, deemed it insufficiently liberal. He also created the Legal Services Corporation in 1974, providing legal aid to low-income Americans – an institution that continues to operate today.
Nixon also ended the military draft, a move that dramatically reshaped American society and opened opportunities for those previously excluded. He championed federal college loan programs, expanding access to higher education for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. And he established the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), protecting workers from dangerous conditions.
A Complex Legacy, A Necessary Reckoning
None of this diminishes the gravity of Nixon’s crimes or the damage he inflicted on public trust. The revelations about the Watergate cover-up, the abuse of the IRS to target political opponents, and the documented paranoia remain deeply troubling. He was, by any measure, a flawed and often deeply problematic leader. But in a moment where democratic norms are under sustained assault, and where the very foundations of American governance are being questioned, a clear-eyed assessment of the past is essential.
The contrast between Nixon’s transgressions – attempts to *preserve* his power within the system – and the current challenges – attempts to *destroy* the system itself – is stark. And while acknowledging his failures, it’s also important to recognize the areas where Nixon’s policies aligned with progressive goals, from environmental protection to healthcare access to social safety nets.
The next significant event related to the ongoing investigations into the previous administration is the scheduled testimony before the House Select Committee investigating the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol. The committee’s findings will undoubtedly shape the national conversation about accountability and the future of American democracy.
What are your thoughts on this reassessment of Nixon’s legacy? Share your perspective in the comments below, and please share this article with others who might find it thought-provoking.
