American Scandal: ENCORE - Watergate | The Break In | Episode 1

Release Date: June 24, 2025
Hosted by Lindsey Graham

Introduction

In the gripping premiere of American Scandal, host Lindsey Graham delves deep into one of the most pivotal moments in American political history: the Watergate break-in. This episode meticulously traces the origins, execution, and immediate aftermath of the scandal that ultimately led to President Richard Nixon's resignation, reshaping the American political landscape.

Background: Nixon's Troubled Presidency

The episode opens in July 1970, presenting a vulnerable President Nixon recovering from viral pneumonia in a naval hospital. Despite his health scare, Nixon is preoccupied with a mounting crisis that threatens his political future and America's democratic foundations. As Graham narrates, Nixon grapples with the fallout from the Watergate break-in, an event that has spiraled into a relentless scandal over 13 months.

[02:15] President Nixon reflects on the ongoing crisis:
"It's an endless nightmare that's consumed Nixon's administration for the past 13 months."

Operation Gemstone: The Genesis of Espionage

The narrative shifts to the mastermind behind the smears against Nixon's adversaries: G. Gordon Liddy. In January 1972, Liddy presents an audacious plan, dubbed Operation Gemstone, aimed at sabotaging the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and securing Nixon's re-election.

[15:45] G. Gordon Liddy outlines Operation Gemstone to his colleagues:
"Gemstone is the ultimate intelligence plan. A collection of missions that will keep radical Democrats out of power."

Planning the Break-In: Crafting the Strategy

Liddy, leveraging his background as an FBI agent and prosecutor, collaborates with key figures like John Mitchell (Attorney General) and Jeb Stuart Magruder (Deputy Campaign Manager) to refine the operation. The initial proposals—ranging from drugging activists to embedding spies—reveal the lengths to which Nixon's team is willing to go.

[28:30] John Mitchell expresses concerns about Liddy's aggressive tactics:
"Liddy's plans are unorthodox. They'd be difficult to pull off and require a lot of manpower."

Despite financial constraints, with Mitchell balking at the $1 million price tag, Liddy remains undeterred, vowing to return with a more feasible plan.

The First Attempt: A Flawed Execution

By April 1972, Liddy finalizes Operation Gemstone 3, focusing on bugging the DNC's offices at the Watergate complex. Collaborating with James McCord, a former CIA officer, Liddy orchestrates a meticulous break-in plan.

[42:50] Liddy to McCord regarding the bugging strategy:
"There are no tapes. You destroy them."

However, despite careful planning, technical malfunctions lead to the collection of only trivial conversations, rendering the operation ineffective.

[55:10] Jeb Stuart Magruder berates Liddy over the failed bugging operation:
"This is a scheme cooked up by Liddy, the same man with his diamonds and topazes who wanted to kidnap kids and hold them in Mexico."

Escalation and the Second Break-In: Racing Against Time

Unwilling to accept failure, Magruder orders a second break-in to procure more substantial intelligence. On June 17, 1972, James McCord leads a team into the Watergate complex under heightened security measures.

[1:10:25] Howard Hunt warns Liddy about the risks of proceeding with the second break-in:
"We gotta turn back. Call it off."

Despite reservations, Liddy presses forward, driven by the pressure to deliver meaningful intelligence that could tilt the upcoming election in Nixon's favor.

The Break-In and Immediate Fallout

As the team infiltrates the DNC offices, unforeseen complications arise. Security guard Frank Wills discovers the tampered door latches, raising alarms that lead to the rapid deployment of police officers.

[1:25:40] James McCord exclaims upon realizing the operation is compromised:
"This can't be happening."

The ensuing arrests of the operatives mark the unraveling of Operation Gemstone, leaving Nixon's team scrambling to contain the damage and prevent further fallout.

[1:30:55] G. Gordon Liddy, in a state of panic, reflects on the collapse of his plans:
"Operation Gemstone, his master plan, has become a nightmare. His burglars have been arrested, and soon the police might arrest him too."

Conclusion: The Road Ahead

The episode concludes with the immediate aftermath of the failed break-in, setting the stage for the relentless investigation led by Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein. As Liddy's machinations begin to crumble, the integrity of Nixon's presidency comes under unprecedented scrutiny.

[1:45:30] Lindsey Graham summarizes the gravity of the situation:
"Operation Gemstone was supposed to secure Nixon's legacy, but instead, it laid bare the lengths to which a presidency can be compromised."

Looking Forward

In the next episode of American Scandal, the focus will shift to Woodward and Bernstein's investigative efforts, revealing how relentless journalism can expose even the most well-guarded secrets of power.

Recommended Reading:

• Watergate by Fred Emery
• King Richard by Michael Dobbs

Note: This episode contains reenactments and dramatized details based on extensive historical research to provide an accurate portrayal of the events surrounding the Watergate scandal.