The Justice Department has initiated a review concerning the conduct of the special prosecutor who investigated former President Richard Nixon during the Watergate scandal, stirring renewed discussion about Nixon’s legacy decades after his resignation. This development coincides with a resurgence of interest in Nixon among certain segments of the political right.

Supporters of Nixon, particularly from the New Right and populist movements, regard him as a symbol of pragmatic right-of-center politics unbound by rigid conservative orthodoxy. He is also seen as a figure who challenged the liberal establishment and mainstream media, embodying a combative, strategic approach to politics that contrasted with the dominant cultural currents of his time.

Nixon’s political career was marked by significant achievements and complexities. He enjoyed notable electoral success, including a landslide re-election victory in 1972 that relied on support from what he called the “Silent Majority.” Despite criticism of his personal demeanor, he was widely respected for his expertise in foreign policy, having worked closely with Secretary of State Henry Kissinger to navigate Cold War tensions. Nixon’s diplomatic efforts included a historic rapprochement with China and a policy of détente with the Soviet Union, though these strategies have received mixed assessments over time.

However, Nixon’s record is also characterized by several controversial and problematic decisions. Economically, his administration faced significant challenges, including the collapse of the Bretton Woods system and rising inflation. Critics argue that his implementation of wage and price controls aggravated the stagflation that afflicted the U.S. economy in the 1970s. Furthermore, Nixon expanded the federal government’s regulatory reach, establishing agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the Consumer Product Safety Commission. These actions stood in contrast to later conservative efforts to reduce government size and regulatory burdens.

On social and cultural issues, Nixon pursued a tough stance on law and order and expanded affirmative action policies, contributing to the evolution of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. His approach to the Vietnam War, encapsulated in the aim of achieving “peace with honor,” ultimately failed to bring a decisive resolution, and critics contend that his détente policy softened U.S. opposition to Soviet influence in a way reversed by subsequent administrations.

The Watergate scandal remains the defining episode of Nixon’s presidency. Although some observers note that other presidents faced significant opposition and criticism, Nixon’s resignation stands unique in American history and underscores the extent of his administration’s mismanagement and wrongdoing. The aftermath of Watergate had lasting political consequences, including a shift in power to Democratic majorities in Congress and the eventual electoral defeat of Gerald Ford, Nixon’s vice president, who had pardoned him.

While historians and political analysts acknowledge Nixon’s skill and impact, they also recognize his presidency as a cautionary tale marked by significant policy missteps and political downfall. His legacy continues to evoke debate over the merits and pitfalls of his leadership style and decisions.