\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Vietnam War forever changed how Americans saw overseas conflict. Often referred to as \u201cthe living room war\u201d, Vietnam was reported on day after day. This exposure forced Americans to witness the horrors that came from war as the death toll continued to climb. The administration became locked in this war for years, refusing to admit defeat or withdraw. To leave Vietnam meant acknowledging not only that America could not contain communism, but that thousands of lives were lost for nothing. New York Times <\/em>publishing The Pentagon Papers <\/em>in 1971 made this war even more contentious, as it was revealed the government had intentionally been hiding details from the public. Feelings of governmental distrust continued after the invasion of Cambodia\u2013the administration providing vague promises of troops being withdrawn whilst further entrenching America in the war. As time went on, the media began to speak more against the war, encouraging the already forming narrative that the government had ulterior motives for becoming involved in Vietnam.<\/p>\n\n\n Arguably one of the most controversial presidents in America\u2019s history, Richard Nixon\u2019s time in office further turned the media against the government. Even before his presidency, Nixon had a tense relationship with the press. He ended his campaign for the governor of California by claiming that the media would not have him to \u201ckick around\u201d anymore, implying they purposefully painted him in a negative light.[2]<\/sup><\/a> During his presidency, he insulted reporters who he disagreed with, going as far as calling some communists. This animosity only increased after The Pentagon Papers <\/em>were published, as Nixon attempted to bar them from publishing further government secrets. While Nixon argued that this was to protect national security, the attempt to restrict the press was deemed unconstitutional. This case would permanently enforce Nixon\u2019s position against the press, who regularly criticized his actions involving the Vietnam War.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While his actions involving the war were incredibly controversial, the Watergate Scandal is what Nixon is remembered for the most. While running for his second term, Nixon attempted to have the Democratic National Committee\u2019s phones tapped. The men hired\u2013the Plumbers\u2013were caught. With one of the Plumbers having direct ties to the White House, there was speculation as to whether Nixon was involved. He adamantly claimed he was innocent, winning the election by a landslide as many Americans trusted his words. Two Washington Post <\/em>reporters, Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodword, spent the following months investigating the Watergate break-in, eventually finding proof of his involvement. At the same time, the break-in was being investigated by Judge John J. Sirica, who was still suspicious of White House involvement. Nixon impeded the investigation numerous times, refusing to cooperate with Sirica on the basis of executive privilege. The Supreme Court ruled against Nixon, arguing he could not withhold the evidence Sirica requested. This resulted in Nixon presenting the court with voice recordings that proved his guilt. His following resignation shocked the country and demonstrated how disconnected the public truly was from the administration. Shortly after Gerald Ford\u2019s inauguration, Nixon was pardoned of all crimes. Many Americans wished to see him punished, his pardon cementing how little power the people truly had in comparison to the president. After the exposure of Nixon\u2019s continuous lies, Americans could only wonder what else happened behind the administration\u2019s closed doors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It was the culmination of the Vietnam War and Nixon\u2019s tumultuous presidency that broke the trust of Americans, but this would not have been possible without the media. While not initially antagonistic, the relationship between the government and media slowly dissolved. Newspapers and reporters saw the benefits from promoting political cynicism, cementing their importance in the eye of the public by bridging the ever growing gap between America\u2019s citizens and its government. Through the analysis of various newspapers and reports, my research has grown beyond why Americans distrust the government, pressing on the importance the media and its bias had on creating the country\u2019s present politics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/hst-journeys\/files\/2024\/12\/downey1.png\")
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