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George Washington is not often thought of as a scandalous president, but even he could not get away from some rumors. This included having been accused of fathering children out of wedlock, something not acceptable to 18th-century norms. However, one documented scandal did great problems for him and may have contributed to his somewhat early death. The Jay Treaty was a treaty signed in 1795 between the United States Government and Great Britain, which helped establish a firmer peace between the two countries at the time. The treaty gave Britain favored trading status and this greatly angered France, the ally of the United States, and led to a split among US politicians, with Jefferson accusing Washington of treason. The Jeffersonian party saw this as a power grab by the Hamiltonians; in Washington's own farewell address he warned against party politics and the influence of political parties (Figure 1).<ref>For more on the Jay Treaty, see: Estes, T. (2006). <i>The Jay Treaty debate, public opinion, and the evolution of early American political culture</i>. In Political Development of the American Nation. Amherst: University of Massachusetts Press.</ref>
Andrew Johnson is known as the president who came closest The wives of Jackson's cabinet refused to being impeached. His relationship socialize with Congress was so fractious that he even refused O'Neale, leading to carry out laws they had passed, resulting in continuous problems between the president Jackson becoming angry with his cabinet and Congress. He also fired officials despite scolding them for not having been warned he could not and repeatly created crises their wives socialize with congressional leadersO'Neale. In factEventually, Jackson's entire cabinet resigned, his violation as they saw Eaton's relationship as scandalous for the moral standards of the Tenure of Office Actday.<ref>For more on John Eaton and how this scandal affect Jackson, which gave authority to Congress for removing certain office holderssee: Marszalek, is what led to impeachmentJ. F. (2000). <i>The scandal did not reflect well on Congress eitherpetticoat affair: manners, mutiny, as it was seen by the wider public as an attempt by Republicans to assert their authority on the President rather than being a legitimate reason for the impeachmentand sex in Andrew Jackson’s White House</i>. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press. </ref>
Perhaps among the biggest scandals of 19th-century American presidents involved Grover Cleveland. In 1884, he ran for president Andrew Johnson is known as a clean, moral president and was labeled as "Grover the GoodPresident who came closest to being impeached." The reality His relationship with Congress was so fractious that he even refused to carry out laws they had fathered an illegitimate child years earlier. The woman passed, resulting in question was Maria Halpin, a widow. Cleveland quickly admitted to continuous problems between the affair once it was revealed president and said Congress. He also fired officials despite having been warned he even took care of the child in question by finding a family to adopt the child, even though he stated he was could not sure he was the father of the child and Halpin had been accused of being repeatedly created crises with other mencongressional leaders. Cleveland said he was being gallant for taking responsibility for the child even if he was not sure he was the father. HalpinIn fact, on his violation of the other handTenure of Office Act, accused him of having forced her which gave authority to give up the child and had effectively bribed his way out of the issue by making the child disappear from political scrutiny. This scandal occurred mostly during the campaign and Congress for removing certain office holders, is what led to a very close election that Cleveland was able to win perhaps through some clever spinning by making it look like he was ultimately trying to help the childimpeachment.
[[File:Jay's-treaty.jpg|thumb|Figure 1. The Jay Treaty scandal did not reflect well on Congress either, as it was perhaps seen by the first scandal wider public as an attempt by Republicans to directly affect assert their authority on the President rather than being a sitting Presidentlegitimate reason for the impeachment.<ref>For more on Johnson's various conflicts with Congress, see: McKitrick, E. L. (1988). <i>Andrew Johnson and Reconstruction</i>. New York: Oxford University Press. ]]</ref>
==From World War I Perhaps among the biggest scandals of 19th-century American presidents involved Grover Cleveland. This scandal also demonstrates the power of the public to give a President a pass, albeit the public may have been deceived. In 1884, Cleveland ran for president as a clean, moral president and was labeled as "Grover the Good." The reality was he had fathered an illegitimate child years earlier. The woman in question was Maria Halpin, a widow. Cleveland quickly admitted to the affair once it was revealed and said he even took care of the child in question by finding a family to adopt the child, even though he stated he was not sure he was the father of the child and Halpin had been accused of being with other men. Cleveland said he was being gallant for taking responsibility for the child even if he was not sure he was the Cold War==father.
Perhaps Halpin, on the most notorious scandal other hand, accused him of having forced her to occur early in give up the child for adoption and Cleveland had effectively bribed his way out of the 20th century occurred issue by paying to have the curtailed presidency of Warren Hardingchild taken by adoptive partents and away from political scrutiny. The Teapot Dome scandal It was a scandal involving bribes bad enough to force the child to be taken by members away from Halpin and to then try to hide the story, but Cleveland was able to push his version of Harding's administration in exchange for oil held in reserve by the US government (Figure 2). It involved oil reserves events, perhaps through some clever spinning, that he was trying to do the US government held honorable thing in Wyoming that it began illegally leasing out to private companiesa difficult situation. The This scandal affected Harding directly because he was accused of having let occurred mostly during the scandal occur campaign and possibly being involved in briberyled to a very close election that Cleveland was able to win. Nevertheless<ref>For more on Cleveland and his scandals, Harding would die while in officesee: Lachman, C. (2011). <i>A secret life: the sex, but his administration would continue to be accused lies and scandals of corruption even after he had diedPresident Grover Cleveland</i>. New York: Skyhorse Pub.</ref>
Herbert Hoover was President from 1929-1933====From World War I to the Cold War====[[File:Teapotdomei13.jpg|thumb|left|Figure 2. Unfortunately for him, this The Tea Pot Dome scandal was perhaps some one of the worst economic years biggest corruption scandals involving a President's administration.]]Perhaps the most notorious scandal to occur early in US historythe 20th century occurred during the curtailed presidency of Warren Harding. The Great Depression Teapot Dome scandal was likely not caused a scandal involving bribes taken by members of Harding's administration in exchange for oil held in reserve by him, but the public needed someone to blame and the President often is the first to get blamedUS government (Figure 2). However, what made it worse for him is It involved oil reserves that World War I veterans, who were made jobless by the Great Depression, conducted a protest because they were promised pay bonuses US government held in Wyoming that they never receivedit began illegally leasing out to private companies. Hoover sent a general, by the name The scandal affected Harding directly because he was accused of Douglas MacArthur, to break up having let the demonstrationscandal occur and possibly being involved in bribery. UnfortunatelyNevertheless, the general seemed Harding would die while in office, but his administration would continue to be informed that a group accused of socialists was protesting rather than former soldiers who were made jobless. This led him to be far harsher than corruption even after he might have otherwise been in breaking up the protesthad died. Once <ref>For more on the public heard about thisTeapot Dome scandal, see: McCartney, L. (2009). <i>The Teapot Dome Scandal: how big oil bought the public became even more negative of Hoover Harding White House and this easily paved tried to steal the way for Franklin Roosevelt to become Presidentcountry</i> (Random House trade pbk. ed). New York: Random House Trade Paperbacks.</ref>
During the years after World War IIHerbert Hoover was President from 1929-1933. Unfortunately for him, Harry Truman faced allegations this was perhaps some of corruption when an investigation discovered widespread impropriety at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)worst economic years in US history. OverallThe Great Depression was likely not caused by him, this led but the public needed someone to blame and the firing of 166 employees at President often is the IRSfirst to get blamed. While nothing directly implicated TrumanHowever, what made it worse for him is that World War I veterans, who were made jobless by the Great Depression, conducted a protest, this continued to haunt his administration. The next administrationwhat became known as the Bonus Riot, because they were promised pay bonuses that of Dwight Dthey never received. EisenhowerHoover sent a general, faced numerous allegations by the name of corruptionDouglas MacArthur, to break up the demonstration. Unfortunately, mainly in the form general seemed to be informed that a group of gifts given socialists was protesting rather than former soldiers who were made jobless. This led him to administration officials that may be far harsher than he might have derived from tax payments of otherwise been in breaking up the federal budgetprotest. One person called to account for Once the public heard about this was Richard Nixon, who was Eisenhower's Vice-the public became even more negative of Hoover and this easily paved the way for Franklin Roosevelt to become President at the time. He had been accused <ref>For more on Hoover and his handling of taking $18veteran protesters,000 giftssee: Lisio, but he disputed this and said he only received a dog as a gift from anyone during his time in officeD. After Eisenhower was John FJ. Kennedy(1994). His scandals involve mainly accusations of affairs he had from <i>The President and protest: Hoover, MacArthur, and the well-known case of Marilyn Monroe to his own personal secretariesBonus Riot</i> (2nd ed). He was mostly able to evade these accusations until his assassinationNew York: Fordham University Press.</ref>
[[File:Teapotdomei13During the years after World War II, Harry Truman faced allegations of corruption when an investigation discovered widespread impropriety at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Overall, this led to the firing of 166 employees at the IRS.jpg|thumb|Figure 2While nothing directly linked Truman to this, this continued to haunt his administration. The Tea Pot Dome scandal next administration, that of Dwight D. Eisenhower, faced numerous allegations of corruption, mainly in the form of gifts given to administration officials that may have derived from tax payments and money from the federal budget. One person called to account for this was Richard Nixon, who was Eisenhower's Vice-President at the time. He had been accused of taking $18,000 gifts, but he disputed this and said he only received a dog as a gift from anyone during his time in office. After Eisenhower was perhaps one John F. Kennedy. His scandals involve mainly accusations of affairs he had from the well-known case of Marilyn Monroe to his own personal secretaries. He was mostly able to evade these accusations until his assassination.<ref>For more on the biggest corruption early Cold War presidents and their alleged scandals, see: Klein, W. (2010). <i>The inside stories of modern political scandals involving a President's administration: how investigative reporters have changed the course of American history</i>. Santa Barbara, Calif: Praeger.]]</ref>
Lydon Johnson mostly had The Regan administration is best known for the Iran-Contra Affair, which saw arm sales to Iran being used to contend with an unpopular war fund anti-Communist fighters in VietnamNicaragua. However, after he had left office, the revelation These fighters were accused of numerous war crimes and the Pentagon Papers by fact that the Washington Post indicated he had extensively lied to actions violated US sanctions on Iran and the American public about its involvement act itself was done in Vietnam. But even this was overshadowed secret by Regan administration officials led to accusations against the next President. Regan was never directly linked, Richard Nixon, who had ordered but the break-in on fact his administration also tried to prevent papers and other documents from being sent to Congress for an investigation led to accusations against the Democratic National Committee offices in the Watergate complex in Washington DCPresident. While <ref>For more on Regan and the story of this is well knownIran-Contra Affair, the coverup with this scandalsee: Wroe, as with many othersA. (1991). <i>Lives, is what often gets a President in trouble. Nixon repeatedly evaded lies and refused to hand over evidence about the breakIran-in and this ultimately led Congress to begin formal impeachment proceedings on himContra affair</i>. This threat was enough for him to resign and leave office as the only President who has resignedLondon; New York: I. This also led to the next scandal, which was Gerald Ford's unconditional pardoning of NixonB. This prevented Nixon from being tried or being brought before Congress for any testimony on his actionsTauris & Co. </ref>
The Regan administration is best known for After Nixon, perhaps the Iransecond most well-Contra Affair, which saw arm sales to Iran being used to fund anti-Communist fighters remembered scandal in Nicaraguarecent history was the Monica Lewinsky affair during Clinton's time as President. These fighters were accused Similar to Nixon, the coverup of numerous war crimes and the fact that the actions violated US sanctions on Iran and the act itself was done in secret by Regan administration officials affair led to accusations Congress investigating further and ultimately drawing articles of impeachment against the Presidenthim for perjury. Regan was never directly linkedUltimately, Clinton triumphed against the impeachment but made this among the fact most memorable scandals of his administration also tried to prevent papers time. During the presidency of George W. Bush, perhaps the Iraq war and other documents from being sent events related to Congress for an investigation led how the war was sold to accusations against the Presidentpublic might be among the biggest scandals of the administration.
After Nixon, perhaps the second most well remembered scandal was the Monica Lewinsky affair during Clinton's time as President. Similar to Nixon, the coverup of the affair led to Congress investigation further and ultimately drawing articles of impeachment against him for perjury. Ultimately, Clinton triumphed against the impeachment but made this among the most memorable scandals of his time. During the presidency of Geogre W. Bush, perhaps the Iraq war and events related to how the war was sold to the public might be the biggest scandals. It did lead to the arrest and jail time for one administration official, Scooter Libby, for having leaked a name of a CIA opperative operative who was the wife of a prominent Iraq war critic. Accusations also revolved around how much did the Bush administration know before they launched the war and if they lied to start the war. ==Conclusions==<ref>For more on Clinton and George W. Bush scandals, including media responses, see: Entman, R. M. (2012).<i> Scandal and silence: media responses to presidential misconduct</i>. Cambridge, UK ; Malden, MA: Polity Press. </ref>
Admin moved page What is the History of US Presidential Scandals? to What is the History of US Presidential Scandals
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[[File:Jay's-treaty.jpg|thumbnail|left|250px|Figure 1. The Jay Treaty was perhaps the first scandal to directly affect a sitting President. ]]
Presidential scandals, in all countries, have a long history and this is the case in the United States. Such history has included affairs, corruption, and various crimes and misdemeanors. Some of the scandals are hard to believe even, yet the American public has often been forgiving, as history shows.
====The Early Presidents====George Washington is not often thought of as a scandalous president, but even he could not get away from some rumors. This included having been accused of fathering children out of wedlock, something not acceptable to 18th-century norms. However, one documented scandal did great problems for him and may have contributed to his somewhat early death. The Jay Treaty was a treaty signed in 1795 between the United States Government and Great Britain, which helped establish a firmer peace between the two countries at the time. The treaty gave Britain favored trading status and this greatly angered France, the ally of the United States, and led to a split among US politicians, with Jefferson accusing Washington of treason.
Another early scandal , and perhaps the first major scandal involving sex, involved a cabinet member of Andrew Jackson, John Eaton, who was Secretary of Warin the so-called Petticoat affair. Eaton had just married Peggy O’Neale after his previous wife had died. O'Neale herself was a young widow and had soon married Eaton after her husband died, which led to many accusations that the two were conducting an affair prior to what was seen as a convenient death. The wives of Jackson's cabinet refused to socialize with O'Neale, leading to Jackson becoming angry with his cabinet and scolding them for not having their wives socialize with O'Neale. Eventually, Jackson's entire cabinet resigned, as they saw Eaton's relationship as scandalous for the moral standards of the day.
====Recent Scandals====<dh-ad/>Lydon Johnson mostly had to contend with an unpopular war in Vietnam. However, after he had left office, the revelation of the Pentagon Papers by the Washington Post indicated he had extensively lied to the American public about its involvement in Vietnam. But even this was overshadowed by the next President, Richard Nixon, who had ordered the break-in on the Democratic National Committee offices in the Watergate complex in Washington DC. While the story of this is well known, the coverup with this scandal, as with many others, is what often gets a President in trouble. Nixon repeatedly evaded and refused to hand over evidence about the break-in and this ultimately led Congress to begin formal impeachment proceedings on him. This threat was enough for him to resign and leave office as the only President who has resigned. This also led to the next scandal, which was Gerald Ford's unconditional pardoning of Nixon. This prevented Nixon from being tried or being brought before Congress for any testimony on his actions.<ref>For more on the Pentagon Papers, see: Ellsberg, D. (2003). <i>Secrets: a memoir of Vietnam and the Pentagon papers</i>. New York: Penguin Books. </ref>
====Conclusion====
The last two presidents, Obama and Trump, have also had various accusations of scandals. For Obama, the biggest may have been the storming and killing of the US ambassador in Libya, where the administration was accused of a cover-up. For Trump, many accusations, including affairs, corruption, treason, and other crimes and impropriety, have been leveled but to this day nothing has been formally established. Throughout US history, we see that Presidents are often held to a high ethical standard. When they fail, it can be disastrous to their political careers but the public has also shown itself to be forgiving, such as the case of Clinton and Cleveland show, with Cleveland winning another term after his scandal became public.
====References====<references/>[[Category:Wikis]] [[Category:United States History]] [[Category:19th Century History]] [[Category:20th Century History]]
