One of the most controversial (and most hated) decisions ever made by a US President was Ford's decision to pardon Nixon in the aftermath of Watergate. Nixon had clearly been guilty of obstruction of justice (we know this thanks to the smoking gun tape that triggered the resignation), but in one act Ford spared his predecessor from any legal consequences whatsoever. Ford claimed this was done to quickly move the country past Watergate and into a better future. Historically, Ford's supporters argued that the pardon helped to heal the wounds of Watergate and prevented a humiliating trial of a former US President. In contrast, Ford's opponents have contended that the pardon actually poured salt on the wounds of Watergate, not healed them, by showing that the President is indeed above the law and by convincing many Americans that the new President came to power as part of a behind the scenes "corrupt bargain." In this thread you get to decide: was Ford right or wrong?