To be fair, a governor of Massachusetts was elected while in jail, was sworn in, and promptly pardoned himself.
However, Nixon is different. He DID consider pardoning himself, but he knew that would open him up to instant impeachment anyway, as that was an inappropriate use of power (something today’s GOP wouldn’t give a crap about, evidently). He was laser-focused on protecting his place in history, and resignation allowed him to protect that — as indeed he was rehabilitated later, writing numerous books, and to some becoming a respected statesman. Not me – but I read history.
To be fair, a governor of Massachusetts was elected while in jail, was sworn in, and promptly pardoned himself.
However, Nixon is different. He DID consider pardoning himself, but he knew that would open him up to instant impeachment anyway, as that was an inappropriate use of power (something today’s GOP wouldn’t give a crap about, evidently). He was laser-focused on protecting his place in history, and resignation allowed him to protect that — as indeed he was rehabilitated later, writing numerous books, and to some becoming a respected statesman. Not me – but I read history.