The first President to resign from office amid the Watergate scandal was Richard Nixon. Facing mounting pressure due to the scandal's revelations regarding the abuse of power and attempts to cover up the break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters, Nixon announced his resignation on August 8, 1974. His departure marked a significant moment in American political history, leading to a loss of public trust in government. Subsequently, Vice President Gerald Ford took office and controversially granted Nixon a pardon, further complicating the political fallout.