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Trump's DoJ reviews whether 'deep state' targeted Nixon in Watergate probe more than 50 years on

From the Newshound archive · first published 2 October 2026.

Richard Nixon, whose removal from office more than 50 years ago a Republican congressman now claims was a "coup" based on a "fake" scandal.
Richard Nixon, whose removal from office more than 50 years ago a Republican congressman now claims was a "coup" based on a "fake" scandal.

Trump's Department of Justice has invited a former Nixon aide to present allegations that special prosecutors committed misconduct during the Watergate investigation, in a move that has sparked immediate political uproar. Geoff Shepard, who has written books arguing Nixon was wrongly brought down, gave a two-hour presentation to the DoJ's Office of Professional Responsibility last month. A DoJ spokesperson insisted the briefing does not constitute a formal investigation. Republican congressman Riley Moore went further, claiming Nixon was 'couped out of office' and 'framed' during a 'fake' Watergate scandal.

The Office of Professional Responsibility had already declined Shepard's request to open a probe into Watergate misconduct back in 2022 under the Biden administration.

Critics across the political spectrum — including National Review — condemned the review as a waste of taxpayer money with no legitimate law-enforcement purpose.

The move is seen as the latest effort to rehabilitate disgraced Republican presidents as part of a broader Trump-era 'deep state' narrative.

MoreThe IndependentTrump team is now looking to see if DOJ committed misconduct in investigating Richard Nixon’s WatergateThe HillGOP lawmaker: Nixon was ‘couped out of office,’ ‘framed’ during Watergate - The Hillworldtribune.comWas Nixon railroaded? DOJ may take fresh look at Watergate - worldtribune.comRadarOnlineGOP Rep Claims Richard Nixon Was 'Framed' for 'Fake' Watergate Scandal - RadarOnline
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