John N. Mitchell

John Newton Mitchell (September 15, 1913 – November 9, 1988) was the first United States Attorney General ever to be convicted of illegal activities and imprisoned. He also served as campaign director for the Committee to Re-elect the President, which employed Watergate burglar James W. McCord, Jr. in a "security" capacity.

Related Topics:
September 15 - 1913 - November 9 - 1988 - United States Attorney General - Committee to Re-elect the President - Watergate - James W. McCord, Jr.

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Mitchell was born in Detroit, Michigan, and grew up on Long Island in New York. He earned his law degree from Fordham University and was admitted to the New York bar in 1938. Except for three years' service as a naval officer during World War II where he was a PT Boat commander and received the Silver Star, from 1938 until 1960 Mitchell practiced law in New York City.

Related Topics:
Detroit, Michigan - Long Island - New York - Fordham University - 1938 - World War II - PT Boat - Silver Star - 1960 - New York City

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Richard Nixon met John Mitchell when his law firm merged with Mitchell's in 1967. The two men became friends, and in 1968, with considerable trepidation, Mitchell agreed to become Nixon's presidential campaign manager.

Related Topics:
Richard Nixon - 1967 - 1968

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During his successful 1968 campaign, Nixon turned over the details of the day-to-day operations to the superbly organized Mitchell. After he became president in January 1969, Nixon appointed Mitchell attorney general. Mitchell remained in office from 1969 until he resigned in 1972 to manage President Nixon's successful reelection campaign. As attorney general, Mitchell believed that the government's need for "law and order" justified restrictions on civil liberties. He advocated the use of wiretaps in national security cases without obtaining a court order and the right of police to employ the preventive detention of criminal suspects. He brought conspiracy charges against critics of the Vietnam War, and demonstrated a reluctance to involve the Justice Department in civil rights issues. "The Department of Justice is a law enforcement agency," he told reporters. "It is not the place to carry on a program aimed at curing the ills of society."

Related Topics:
1969 - 1972 - Law and order - Vietnam War - Justice Department - Civil rights

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On February 21, 1975 Mitchell was found guilty of conspiracy, obstruction of justice, and perjury and sentenced to two and a half to eight years in prison for his role in the Watergate break-in and cover-up, which he dubbed the White House horrors. Tape recordings made by President Nixon and the testimony of others involved confirmed that Mitchell had participated in meetings to plan the break-in of the Democratic party's national headquarters in the Watergate Hotel. In addition, he had met, on at least three occasions, with the president in an effort to cover up White House involvement after the burglars were discovered and arrested.

Related Topics:
February 21 - 1975 - Conspiracy - Obstruction of justice - Perjury - White House horrors - Watergate Hotel

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Around 5 P.M. on Novemeber 9, 1988, he died after collapsing from a heart attack on the sidewalk in front of 2812 N St. NW, Georgetown, Washington, DC. That evening he would die at George Washington University Hospital. He was buried with full honors at Arlington National Cemetery.

Related Topics:
Georgetown, Washington, DC - George Washington University Hospital - Arlington National Cemetery

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His wife Martha passed away in 1976. The Martha Mitchell effect is named after John Mitchell's wife.

Related Topics:
Martha - 1976 - Martha Mitchell effect

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