Today in History—October 10: U.S. Vice President Spiro T. Agnew Resigns

On this day in 1973, U.S. Vice Pres. Spiro Agnew pleaded nolo contendere in federal court to a single count of tax evasion. Before delivering his plea, he resigned, becoming only the second person in U.S. history to resign the vice presidency—and the first to resign under duress.

A less-than-ideal distinction, for sure, but it could have been much worse for both Agnew and the country.

Five years prior, the little-known Maryland governor became Richard Nixon’s running mate. As vice president, Agnew quickly took on the role of the administration’s attack dog or hatchet man (choose your combative political persona)—going after anti-war protesters, the media, Democratic critics, and Republicans who dared to challenge the administration. He was the voice of the silent majority, colorfully delivering the administration’s anti-elite rhetoric. Nixon and Agnew won reelection in 1972 in a landslide.

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In 1973, however, things started to get messy for Agnew (they were already complicated for Nixon: see Watergate). By February, Agnew knew federal officials in Maryland were investigating bribery and corruption dating to his time as chief executive of Baltimore county and governor. Kickbacks on engineering contracts purportedly put tens of thousands of dollars in Agnew’s pocket even as he ascended to the vice presidency—one informant told of leaving upward of $9,500 in Agnew’s basement office at the White House.

Agnew’s response: “Damned lies.”

He took to the court of public opinion. In a September 1973 speech in Los Angeles, Agnew declared, “I will not resign if indicted,” putting Nixon between Agnew and his own Justice Department. Nixon chose his attorney general, Elliot Richardson. By October, Agnew had lost the president, lawmakers, and the public. It was time to make a deal.

On October 9, it was decided: Agnew would resign, plead no contest to tax evasion, allow the evidence to become public, and avoid jail time.

The next day Agnew arrived in court, just after 2:00 pm, and, minutes later, his resignation letter was delivered to Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. By the time he entered his plea, Agnew was already a private citizen.

Agnew addressed the court: “My decision to resign and enter a plea of nolo contendere rests on my firm belief that the public interest requires a swift disposition of the problems which are facing me.…At no time have I enriched myself at the expense of my public trust.”

The proceedings were over by 2:47 pm.