Geoff Shepard, who served as the youngest lawyer on President Richard Nixon’s Watergate defense team, has offered a provocative new perspective on the scandal that led to Nixon’s resignation 50 years ago. In an exclusive interview with The New American magazine’s Unrestricted podcast, Shepard described the legal maneuvers against Nixon as part of a “coordinated coup.”
Shepard, who was deeply involved in the crisis, transcribing the Nixon tapes and managing the White House document room, reflected on his role during the scandal. “I wasn’t just a bystander; I was right in the thick of it,” Shepard said. His unique position provided him with insights that he believes have been overlooked for decades. Despite the widespread legal actions against Nixon’s associates, Shepard is the only White House staff member to have received a letter of clearance from the special prosecutor.
In 2003, Shepard gained access to previously undisclosed records from the Watergate special prosecution force held at the National Archives. His research uncovered evidence of a “secret cabal” of government officials who conspired to remove Nixon from office. These officials, Shepard discovered, held illegal meetings with federal judges, including John Sirica and Gerhard Gesell, who were instrumental in the Watergate trials.
Shepard’s findings, detailed in his book The Real Watergate Scandal, reveal that the legal process was subverted by a group determined to bring down Nixon. Shepard draws parallels between Nixon’s ordeal and the legal battles faced by former President Donald J. Trump, arguing that the use of lawfare to undermine political opponents is a dangerous trend.
