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[[File:Jay's-treaty.jpg|thumb|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. 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>
George Washington is not often thought Another early scandal, and perhaps the first major scandal involving sex, involved a cabinet member of as a scandalous presidentAndrew Jackson, John Eaton, but even he could not get away from some rumors. This included having been accused who was Secretary of fathering children out of wedlock, something not acceptable to 18thWar in the so-century normscalled Petticoat affair. However, one documented scandal did great problems for him and may have contributed to Eaton had just married Peggy O’Neale after his somewhat early deathprevious wife had died. The Jay Treaty O'Neale herself was a treaty signed in 1795 between the United States Government young widow and Great Britainhad soon married Eaton after her husband died, which helped establish a firmer peace between led to many accusations that the two countries at the timewere conducting an affair prior to what was seen as a convenient death. The treaty gave Britain favored trading status wives of Jackson's cabinet refused to socialize with O'Neale, leading to Jackson becoming angry with his cabinet and this greatly angered Francescolding 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 ally moral standards of the United Statesday.<ref>For more on John Eaton and how this scandal affect Jackson, and led to a split among US politicianssee: Marszalek, with Jefferson accusing Washington of treasonJ. F. (2000). <i>The Jeffersonian party saw this as a power grab by the Hamiltonians; petticoat affair: manners, mutiny, and sex in Washington's own farewell address he warned against party politics and the influence of political partiesAndrew Jackson’s White House</i>. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press.</ref>
Another early scandal involved a cabinet member of Andrew Jackson, John Eaton, Johnson is known as the President who came closest to being impeached. His relationship with Congress was Secretary of War. Eaton so fractious that he even refused to carry out laws they had just married Peggy O’Neale after his previous wife had diedpassed, resulting in continuous problems between the president and Congress. O'Neale herself was a young widow He also fired officials despite having been warned he could not and had soon married Eaton after her husband diedrepeatedly created crises with congressional leaders. In fact, his violation of the Tenure of Office Act, which gave authority to Congress for removing certain office holders, is what led to many accusations that impeachment. The scandal did not reflect well on Congress either, as it was seen by the two were conducting wider public as an affair prior attempt by Republicans to what was seen as assert their authority on the President rather than being a convenient deathlegitimate reason for the impeachment. The wives of Jackson<ref>For more on Johnson's cabinet refused to socialize various conflicts with O'NealeCongress, see: McKitrick, leading to Jackson becoming angry with his cabinet E. L. (1988). <i>Andrew Johnson and scolding them for not having their wives socialize with O'NealeReconstruction</i>. Eventually, Jackson's entire cabinet resigned, as they saw Eaton's relationship as scandalous for the moral standards of the dayNew York: Oxford University Press.</ref>
Andrew Johnson is known 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 president who came closest 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 being impeached. His relationship with Congress the affair once it was so fractious that revealed and said he even refussed took care of the child in question by finding a family to carry out laws they had passedadopt the child, resulting in continous problems between even though he stated he was not sure he was the father of the president child and CongressHalpin had been accused of being with other men. He also fired officials despite having been warrned Cleveland said he was being gallant for taking responsibility for the child even if he could was not and repeatly created crises with congressional leaderssure he was the father. In factHalpin, on the other hand, accused him of having forced her to give up the child for adoption and Cleveland had effectively bribed his violation way out of the Tenure issue by paying to have the child taken by adoptive partents and away from political scrutiny. It was bad enough to force the child to be taken away from Halpin and to then try to hide the story, but Cleveland was able to push his version of Office Actevents, which gave authority perhaps through some clever spinning, that he was trying to Congress for removing certain office holders, is what do the honorable thing in a difficult situation. This scandal occurred mostly during the campaign and led to impeachmenta very close election that Cleveland was able to win. The scandle did not reflect well <ref>For more on Congress eitherCleveland and his scandals, as it was seen by the wider public as an attempt by Republicans to assert their authority on see: Lachman, C. (2011). <i>A secret life: the sex, lies and scandals of President rather than being a legitimate reason for the impeachementGrover Cleveland</i>. New York: Skyhorse Pub. </ref>
Perhaps among ====From World War I to the biggest scandals of 19th century American presidents involved Grover ClevelandCold War====[[File:Teapotdomei13. In 1884, he ran for president as a clean, moral president and was labeled as "Grover the Goodjpg|thumb|left|Figure 2." The reality Tea Pot Dome scandal was he had fathered an illegitimate child years earlier. The woman in question was Maria Halpin, perhaps one of the biggest corruption scandals involving a widowPresident's administration. Cleveland quickly admitted ]]Perhaps the most notorious scandal to occur early in the affair once it 20th century occurred during the curtailed presidency of Warren Harding. The Teapot Dome scandal was revealed and said he even took care a scandal involving bribes taken by members of Harding's administration in exchange for oil held in reserve by the US government (Figure 2). It involved oil reserves that the child US government held in question by finding a family Wyoming that it began illegally leasing out to adopt the child, even though he stated private companies. The scandal affected Harding directly because he was not sure he was the father accused of having let the child scandal occur and Halpin had been possibly being involved in bribery. Nevertheless, Harding would die while in office, but his administration would continue to be accused of being with other men. Cleveland said he was being gallant for taking responsibility for the child corruption even if after he was not sure he was the fatherhad died. Halpin, <ref>For more on the other handTeapot Dome scandal, see: McCartney, accused him of having forced her to give up the child and had effectively bribed his way out of the issue by making the child disappear from political scrutinyL. (2009). This scandal occurred mostly during <i>The Teapot Dome Scandal: how big oil bought the campaign Harding White House and 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 tried to help steal the childcountry</i> (Random House trade pbk. ed). New York: Random House Trade Paperbacks.</ref>
==From Herbert Hoover was President from 1929-1933. Unfortunately for him, this was perhaps some of the worst economic years in US history. The Great Depression was likely not caused by him, but the public needed someone to blame and the President often is the first to get blamed. However, what made it worse for him is that World War I veterans, who were made jobless by the Great Depression, conducted a protest, what became known as the Bonus Riot, because they were promised pay bonuses that they never received. Hoover sent a general, by the name of Douglas MacArthur, to break up the Cold War==demonstration. Unfortunately, the general seemed to be informed that a group of socialists was protesting rather than former soldiers who were made jobless. This led him to be far harsher than he might have otherwise been in breaking up the protest. Once the public heard about this, the public became even more negative of Hoover and this easily paved the way for Franklin Roosevelt to become President.<ref>For more on Hoover and his handling of veteran protesters, see: Lisio, D. J. (1994). <i>The President and protest: Hoover, MacArthur, and the Bonus Riot</i> (2nd ed). New York: Fordham University Press. </ref>
Perhaps During the most notorious scandal 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 occur early in the 20th century occurred firing of 166 employees at the curtailed presidency IRS. While nothing directly linked Truman to this, this continued to haunt his administration. The next administration, that of Warren HardingDwight D. The Teapot Dome scandal was a scandal involving bribes taken by members Eisenhower, faced numerous allegations of corruption, mainly in the form of Harding's gifts given to administration. It involved oil reserves officials that may have derived from tax payments and money from the US government had in Wyoming that it leased out federal budget. One person called to private companiesaccount for this was Richard Nixon, who was Eisenhower's Vice-President at the time. The scandal affected Harding directly because he was He had been accused of having let the scandal occur and possibly being involved in bribery. Neverthelesstaking $18, Harding would die while in office000 gifts, but he disputed this and said he only received a dog as a gift from anyone during his administration would continue to be accused time in office. After Eisenhower was John F. Kennedy. His scandals involve mainly accusations of corruption even after affairs he had diedfrom 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 early Cold War presidents and their alleged scandals, see: Klein, W. (2010). <i>The inside stories of modern political scandals: how investigative reporters have changed the course of American history</i>. Santa Barbara, Calif: Praeger.</ref>
Herbert Hoover was President from 1929====Recent Scandals====<dh-1933ad/>Lydon Johnson mostly had to contend with an unpopular war in Vietnam. Unfortunately for himHowever, after he had left office, this was perhaps some the revelation of the worst economic years Pentagon Papers by the Washington Post indicated he had extensively lied to the American public about its involvement in US historyVietnam. The Great Depression But even this was likely not caused overshadowed by himthe next President, Richard Nixon, but who had ordered the public needed someone to blame and break-in on the President often is Democratic National Committee offices in the first to get blamedWatergate complex in Washington DC. However, what made it worse for him While the story of this is that World War I veteranswell known, who were made jobless by the Great Depressioncoverup with this scandal, as with many others, conducted is what often gets a protest because they were promised pay bonuses that they never receivedPresident in trouble. Hoover sent a general, by Nixon repeatedly evaded and refused to hand over evidence about the name of Douglas MacArthur, break-in and this ultimately led Congress to break up the demonstrationbegin formal impeachment proceedings on him. Unfortunately, This threat was enough for him to resign and leave office as the general seemed to be informed that a group of socialists was protesting rather than former soldiers only President who were made joblesshas resigned. This also led him to be far harsher than he might have otherwise been in breaking up the protestnext 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. Once <ref>For more on the public heard about thisPentagon Papers, see: Ellsberg, the public became even more negative D. (2003). <i>Secrets: a memoir of Hoover Vietnam and this easily paved the way for Franklin Roosevelt to become PresidentPentagon papers</i>. New York: Penguin Books.</ref>
During The Regan administration is best known for the years after World War IIIran-Contra Affair, Harry Truman faced allegations which saw arm sales to Iran being used to fund anti-Communist fighters in Nicaragua. These fighters were accused of corruption when an investigation discovered widespread impropriety at numerous war crimes and the fact that the actions violated US sanctions on Iran and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Overall, this act itself was done in secret by Regan administration officials led to accusations against the firing of 166 employees at the IRSPresident. While nothing Regan was never directly implicated Trumanlinked, this continued to haunt but the fact his administration. The next administration, that of Dwight D. Eisenhower, faced numerous allegations of corruption, mainly in the form of gifts given also tried to administration officials that may have derived prevent papers and other documents from tax payments of the federal budget. One person called being sent to account Congress for this was Richard Nixon, who was Eisenhower's Vice-an investigation led to accusations against the President at .<ref>For more on Regan and the time. He had been accused of taking $18Iran-Contra Affair,000 giftssee: Wroe, but he disputed this and said he only received a dog as a gift from anyone during his time in officeA. After Eisenhower was John F(1991). Kennedy. His scandals involve mainly accusations of affairs he had from <i>Lives, lies and the wellIran-known case of Marilyn Monroe to his own personal secretariesContra affair</i>. London; New York: I.B. He was mostly able to evade these accusations until his assassinationTauris & Co.</ref>
==Recent Scandals==After Nixon, perhaps the second most well-remembered scandal in recent history was the Monica Lewinsky affair during Clinton's time as President. Similar to Nixon, the coverup of the affair led to Congress investigating 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 George W. Bush, perhaps the Iraq war and events related to how the war was sold to the public might be among the biggest scandals of the administration. It did lead to the arrest and jail time for one administration official, Scooter Libby, for having leaked a name of a CIA opperative 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.<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>
Lydon Johnson mostly ====Conclusion====The last two presidents, Obama and Trump, have also had to contend with an unpopular war in Vietnamvarious accusations of scandals. However, after he had left officeFor Obama, the revelation biggest may have been the storming and killing of the Pentagon Papers by the Washington Post indicated he had extensively lied to the American public about its involvement US ambassador in Vietnam. But even this was overshadowed by the next President, Richard NixonLibya, who had ordered where the breakadministration was accused of a cover-in on the Democratic National Committee offices in the Watergate complex in Washington DCup. While the story of this is well knownFor Trump, many accusations, including affairs, the coverup with this scandalcorruption, as with many otherstreason, is what often gets a President in trouble. Nixon repeatedly evaded and refused other crimes and impropriety, have been leveled but 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 day nothing has resignedbeen formally established. 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. The Regan administration is best known for the Iran-Contra AffairThroughout US history, which saw arm sales to Iran being used to fund anti-Communist fighters in Nicaragua. These fighters were accused of numerous war crimes and the fact we see that the actions violated US sanctions on Iran and the act itself was done in secret by Regan administration officials led Presidents are often held to accusations against the Presidenta high ethical standard. Regan was never directly linkedWhen they fail, it can be disastrous to their political careers but the fact his administration public has also tried shown itself to prevent papers and other documents from being sent to Congress for an investigation led to accusations against the President. After Nixonbe forgiving, perhaps the second most well remembered scandal was the Monica Lewinsky affair during Clinton's time such as President. Similar to Nixon, the coverup case of the affair led to Congress investigation further Clinton and ultimately drawing articles of impeachment against him for perjury. UltimatelyCleveland show, Clinton triumphed against the impeachment but made this among the most memorable scandals of with Cleveland winning another term after his time. During the presidency of Geogre W. Bush, perhaps the Iraq war and events related to how the war was sold to the scandal became 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 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== References==References==<references/>[[Category:Wikis]] [[Category:United States History]] [[Category:19th Century History]] [[Category:20th Century History]]{{MediaWiki:NativeAds}}
