The Cursed American Presidency

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Sacramento: The place where America & the World was forever altered
10:02 AM PST, Friday, September 5th, 1975
CA State Capitol Grounds, Capitol Park, Sacramento, CA

President Ford greeting well-wishers before tragedy strikes....​

President Ford had moved out about 150 FT (46 m) from Lincoln Street along a Capitol Park paved walkway, saw "a woman in a brightly colored dress" & stopped approximately halfway to the CA State Capitol. People on either side of Ford wanted to shake hands with him & Ford assumed the woman in red wanted to shake hands or talk. Squeaky was positioned 2 FT (0.61m) from Ford, behind the first row of the crowd, reached into her flowing red robe, drawing the Colt. 45 pistol from her leg holster. Squeaky raised her right arm towards Ford, through the front row of well-wishers & pointed the gun at a height between Ford's knees & waist.

From the perspective of White House Press Secretary Ron Nessen on the incident (who was present when this was happening), he noted the following: "as President Ford stopped, he saw a hand come through the crowd in the first row, and that was the first active gesture that the President saw, but in the hand there was a gun, which let out a yellow-ish blaze coming out."

While Squeaky was pointing the gun at Ford, she was smiling & calmly told the President these haunting words: "CHARLIE SAYS HI MR. PRESIDENT" as she opened fire: BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!

Almost immediately, the crowd began scattering out in absolute horror while several US Secret Service agents grabbed Squeaky, one of whom slammed her into the ground & handcuffed her. She was happily satisfied with what she had done, "Can you believe it? I did it! I did it! I did it for Charlie and the organization. The gun went off" as she busted out laughing while she was being put into a police vehicle; California State Troopers ran towards the Capitol Park & assisted the US Secret Service in getting everything under control as bystanders were horrified at what had just occurred.

Several of the US Secret Service agents repeatedly tried speaking to the President, who was unconscious inside the ambulance while paramedics worked on him furiously. "Let's get to the hospital" yelled US Secret Service Director H. Stuart Knight as the ambulance accompanied by Secret Service vehicles & other law enforcement officers drove off fast all the way towards Mercy General Hospital.

 

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Cronkite
1:56 PM EST, Friday, September 5th, 1975
CBS News HQ, NYC, NY St

CBS Evening News Anchor Walter Cronkite speaking with White House Chief of Staff Richard Cheney over the telephone.​

CBS Evening News Anchor Walter Cronkite broke into regular programming & delivered the story of his life: "Good afternoon everyone. This is Walter Cronkite of the CBS Evening News at CBS News Headquarters in New York City, I apologize for interrupting regular programming, but we have to report this very major breaking news alert. I was just speaking with White House Chief of Staff Richard Cheney on the telephone, who has confirmed the following: President Ford has been shot while he was greeting a crowd of spectators outside the California State Capitol building in Sacramento, California, where the President was scheduled to hold a meeting with California Governor Jerry Brown (D).

At 10:02 AM PST, President Ford was greeting the crowd of people on the first row when someone dressed in a large red robe, pointed a gun at the President and open fire, hitting the President multiple times, who fell into the arms of Secret Service agents. The assailant was subdued by Secret Service agents, who were assisted by California Highway Patrol officers including State Troopers. We're getting confirmation out of Sacramento that Governor Brown was inside the reception room of the Governor's office inside the State Capitol building when he was rushed out of there by members of the California Highway Patrol and driven back to his apartment.

Getting more information right now. CBS News has confirmed that President Ford was driven in an ambulance to Mercy General Hospital, where he was placed into emergency surgery by surgeons and doctors, who are working very hard to save his life.

(Talking via earpiece to production staff) I believe that we've got video of the incident from this morning in Sacramento, so we're going to show it right now:
******(Video showing President Ford getting shot multiple times, falling into the arms of Secret Service agents while the crowd of spectators are screaming hysterically)

That was some footage being shown as many of you have seen, watching the shooting incident at Capitol Park on the grounds of the California State Capitol building. We've got sources over at Mercy General Hospital, where security has locked down the entire surrounding areas with maximum security ranging from the United States Secret Service, California Highway Patrol, Sacramento Police Department, Sacramento County Sheriff's Department including the California National Guard, which Governor Brown has deployed almost immediately, where National Guard troops have been patrolling all over the surrounding areas of Sacramento."

 

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Friday, September 5th, 1975

BREAKING NEWS: CABINET INVOKES 25TH AMENDMENT NAMING VICE PRESIDENT ROCKEFELLER AS ACTING PRESIDENT; DETAILS REGARDING PRESIDENT FORD'S CONDITION UNKNOWN

Cronkite: "We are getting information out of Washington, DC., on what's going on. I am told by sources at the White House that the Presidential Cabinet has voted unanimously to invoking the 25th Amendment during an emergency National Security meeting, naming Vice President Nelson Rockefeller as the acting President until further developments regarding President Ford's condition are coming out in Sacramento.

Now I am being told we're getting some detailed accounts from eyewitnesses, who were on the grounds of the California State Capitol building in Sacramento, majority of whom are being interviewed by local law enforcement including the United States Secret Service and federal authorities. I believe we've got Bob Schieffer live from Sacramento to give us more updated information on the situation. Bob, what can you tell us more on the situation over there?"

 

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Schieffer
1:55 PM PST, Friday, September 5th, 1975
Sacramento, CA

Bob Schieffer live from Sacramento...​

Schieffer: "Good afternoon Walter. I am here in the newsroom of our CBS affiliate station in Sacramento, where the situation is getting more serious as the condition of President Ford is unknown at this point. When we last reported, the President was undergoing emergency surgery at Mercy General Hospital and that the Cabinet back in Washington, voted to invoke the 25th Amendment to name Vice President Rockefeller as the acting President.

Eyewitnesses, who were at the California State Capitol grounds when the shooting occurred, are being questioned and interviewed by local, state and federal law enforcement authorities on what they saw among other critical details. The city of Sacramento and the surrounding areas are all but on lock-down due to the California National Guard being deployed by Governor Brown.

Wait just a minute (talking via earpiece). I apologize for the interruption, but we've gotten new information coming out that US Secret Service agents and FBI agents are interrogating the assailant, whom we can now identify as Lynette Fromme, one of the disciples of the serial killer Charlie Manson. The Sacramento Bee is reporting that Fromme was dressed in all red including a large red robe, when she opened fire on the President and several others.

Sacramento Mayor Richard Marriott has ordered a lockdown on the city of Sacramento; joint coordination between the Sacramento Police Department and Sacramento County Sheriff's Department, who are raiding suspected apartments in apprehending potential co-conspirators, who were associated with the Charlie Manson cult group. I believe there's more information coming out of Mercy General Hospital, where doctors and surgeons are working aggressively to save President Ford's life. I am told that CBS News Washington Bureau Correspondent Bernard Shaw is live at the Washington DC Bureau headquarters with more information...."

 

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Nessen
2:32 PM PST, Friday, September 5th, 1975
Conference Room, Mercy General Hospital, Sacramento, CA

White House Press Secretary Ron Nessen addressing the Press Corps in the conference room at Mercy General Hospital.​

Before walking into the conference room, it became clear that Nessen was upset, shaken & downright angry at the news he had just received on the latest development on the President's condition. He had to compose himself, cleared his throat twice & drank some water before entering the conference room of Mercy General Hospital as the TV cameras' lights flashed bright into the extremes, the flashes of the cameras were non-stop. In came the White House Press Secretary with the announcement:

Nessen: "Good afternoon everyone. What happened this morning on the grounds of the California State Capitol was a horrific and traumatic event. I have new information regarding updates that many of you in the press corps have been waiting to receive.

Unfortunately, the news of these developments aren't good.

I hereby, officially confirm to everyone here that President Gerald Rudolph Ford, the 38th President of the United States of America, died at 1:45 PM Pacific Standard Time just about 36 minutes ago while undergoing emergency surgery.

More details will be coming in later today once they're available, but that's all I have to inform the press corps here today. Thank you and please keep the Ford family in your prayers."

Nessen walked into a private room & wept.

With the sounds of Squeaky's Colt.45 revolver, the American political landscape has been altered & Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller has now ascended as the 39th President of the United States.

​

 

[49ersfootball]

BREAKING NEWS: 1:39 PM PST PRESIDENT FORD DEAD AT THE AGE OF 62
Friday, September 5th, 1975​

*Shocking News: President Gerald Ford assassinated while greeting crowd of well-wishers at Capitol Park on the grounds of the CA State Capitol in Sacramento, CA
*Nation grieves the death of the 38th President
*Vice President Nelson Rockefeller to assume the Presidency
*Presidential Cabinet & congressional leaders assembling in the US Senate chambers of the US Capitol ahead of Rockefeller's swearing-in as the country's new commander-in-chief.

Cronkite (upon getting official confirmation from White House Chief of Staff Richard Cheney via telephone): "Ladies and gentlemen. I have gotten new information from White House Chief of Staff Richard Cheney, who is in Sacramento at Mercy General Hospital...

Despite the best efforts of surgeons and doctors to save President Ford's life, their hardworking efforts weren't successful due to the massive blood loss he sustained from the shooting this morning. President Gerald Rudolph Ford, the 38th President of the United States of America, who ascended to the nation's highest office upon the resignation of disgraced former President Richard Nixon on August 9th, 1974, has fallen to an assassin's bullets.

12 years ago, I came here to tell the world the death of President Kennedy and now I have the sad duty to inform you that America has lost a fifth American President to assassination. From Sacramento, California, the flash apparently official, President Ford died at 1:39 PM PST while undergoing emergency surgery at Mercy General Hospital, just about some 20 minutes ago (Cronkite trying his best not to cry, but clearing his throat)....

Vice President Rockefeller has been notified of the President's death while holding an emergency meeting at the White House, we don't know where he is headed, but it's safe to strongly confirm that he will be officially sworn into office as the 39th President of the United States in a few HRS. Second Lady Happy Rockefeller was holding a community development tour with North Carolina Governor Jim Holshouser (R) when she was informed of the shooting in Sacramento and was flown back to Washington, DC., CBS News has gotten confirmation that she will be in attendance for her husband's swearing-in ceremony as the 39th President of the United States.

A moment of silence for the 38th President of the United States, Gerald Rudolph Ford."

 

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COMING UP IN CHAPTER IV OF THE CURSED AMERICAN PRESIDENCY
Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller becomes the 39th President of the United States

​

 

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Chapter IV: His Accidency: The Impromptu Inauguration
of Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller as the 39th President of the United States
5:00 PM EST, Friday, September 5th, 1975
United States Senate Chambers, US Capitol, Washington, DC.

39.)
Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller (R-NY St)
September 5th, 1975 to January 20th, 1977

Rockefeller taking the Oath of Office as the 39th President of the United States by US Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Burger inside the US Senate chambers.​

The mood inside the United States Senate chambers was somber, at least 83 out of 100 United States Senators were present, while at least 20 members of the US House of Representatives were also in attendance as well (they were seated in the balcony section). Members of the Rockefeller family were seated in the balcony as well. Representing the Ford family were two of Jerry's four children: Michael Gerald Ford & John Gardner Ford.

United States Senator Barry Goldwater (R-AZ) was wondering to himself "The only reason why this jackass became President is because some crazy nut shot President Ford." due to the obvious deep-seated hostility between Goldwater & Rockefeller that goes back to the ugly primary bloodbath of 1964, where Goldwater won the Republican Presidential nomination... only to get crushed by then-Democratic President Lyndon Baines Johnson in one of the biggest landslide defeats in American history. Goldwater might've lost the election, but eventually he won the war as conservatives took control of the Republican Party & he wasn't going to let anyone get in his way of changing the makeup of the Party of Lincoln.

Meanwhile outside the US Capitol East Front Grounds, the heavily-guarded Presidential motorcade arrived in the underground section, where TV cameras weren't allowed to film the new President & First Lady getting out of the Presidential limousine, both of whom were surrounded by Secret Service agents including Capitol Police officers.

The moment White House Press Secretary Ron Nessen officially confirmed Ford's death, the nuclear football was quickly confiscated by the United States Secret Service & one of the US Military attaches accompanying Ford on that fateful morning in Sacramento. This marked the official end of Gerald Ford's presidency & the beginning of Nelson Rockefeller's, who was expected to take the oath of office in a few HRS.

For Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller, the man who served 14 years as NY St's 48th Governor from January 1st, 1959 until his resignation on December 18th, 1973, he had campaigned for the Presidency three times unsuccessfully in bids for the Republican Party's presidential nomination in 1960, 1964 & again in 1968. When he resigned from the Governorship, most people believed his political career was finished for good, but it didn't surprise anyone that being tapped to serve as Vice President on August 20th, 1974 by then-President Ford, gave a much-needed boost to Rocky's political career. Having been confirmed by both houses of Congress (US Senate voted 90-7 in favor on December 10th while the US House of Representatives voted 287-128 on December 19th), he had been in conflict with some in Ford's inner circle such as White House Chief of Staff Richard Cheney & US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. Once Squeaky Fromme opened fire in Sacramento, the course of American politics was forever shaken to the core: Rocky was now President of the United States. Now he had to remain so....

He never anticipated getting the country's highest political office like this in one of the worst, horrible tragic ways.

Chief Justice Burger stepped up to the podium & delivered short remarks: "Today ladies and gentlemen. This is a day that I had hoped never should've come to this, but now that it has, we have to witness the transfer of the Presidency as we inaugurate our 39th President of these United States of America, the Honorable Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller.
Mr. President, can you please come up to the podium and take your Oath of Office?"

(Polite round of applause as President Rockefeller holding the Rockefeller family Bible, stepped up to the podium).

Burger: "Mr. President, are you prepared to take the Oath of Office?"
Rockefeller: "Yes sir. I am ready and prepared to take the Oath of Office Mr. Chief Justice."
Burger: "Please put your left hand on the Bible, raise your right hand and repeat after me your Oath of Office.
I, Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller, do solemnly swear..."
Rockefeller: "I, Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller, do solemnly swear..."
Burger: "that I will faithfully execute..."
Rockefeller: "that I will faithfully execute..."
Burger: "the Office of President of the United States..."
Rockefeller: "the Office of President of the United States..."
Burger: "and will to the best of my ability,"
Rockefeller: "and will to the best of my ability,"
Burger: "preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
Rockefeller: "preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
Burger: "So help me God."
Rockefeller: "So help me God."
Burger: "Congratulations Mr. President."
Rockefeller: "Thank you very much Mr. Chief Justice."
Burger: "Ladies and gentlemen. The 39th President of the United States."

(Crowd lets out polite round of applause).

President Rockefeller: "Chief Justice Burger, Justices of the United States Supreme Court, members of Congress, reverend clergy, my lovely wife, Happy and my six children including many members of my family, who are here to witness this transfer of power, members of the Presidential Cabinet and my fellow Americans.

First, let me give my personal condolences to the Ford family on the loss of a great American, who served his country during World War II while in the United States Navy, fought for what was right, served the people of Michigan's 5th Congressional District for 24 years in the United States House of Representatives, where he rose to House Minority Leader before answering the call to serve as our nation's 40th Vice President and eventually serving as our 38th President. I want everyone here to have a moment of silence honoring the memory and legacy of President Ford. Please join me in a moment of silence.

(Silence: while that was going on inside the US Senate chambers; the flags were lowered to half-mast outside the US Capitol)

When I assumed the Vice Presidency ten months ago, I spoke to you about the belief that there's nothing wrong with America that American's cannot fix. Tonight, in the dark hour of tragedy, I still strongly believe that my belief in America remains unshaken. Once again, we find ourselves in another unprecedented period of presidential transition. The spirit of cynicism and distrust in not only government, but in each other, has so much polluted the national dialogue and the water had become too hot for compromise on certain hot-button issues facing all Americans.

As we begin to mark the upcoming Bicentennial, we have come to realize that such discontent and discord has manifested and escalated to the point of showing its ugly self tonight in one of the most brutal displays of inhumanity with no regard at all.

Like many of you watching tonight, you're asking "Why is our country facing so many hurdles in recent years?" I agree with you because within twelve years: we've seen the assassination of two Presidents in broad daylight, the forced political retirement of another into not seeking reelection and the resignation of another in disgrace in the aftermath of Watergate.

Be not mistaken my fellow Americans; the United States of America will always be strong and leading on the global stage as long as there are Americans willing to fight for her and protect her. We're also an innovative and inclusive people, unique for our equality of opportunity and the universally of the American dream. Indeed, it's the American Dream which across the world has entered into the lexicon as a world associated with the promise of peace, freedom and a fighting chance. I want to be strongly clear that we will respond to this savage act of violent brutality by finding opportunity and ways in healing America, restoring and renewing our faith in government including ensuring every American experiences the same American dream that compelled so many millions of people to give up everything in the pursuit of liberty.

Our thoughts and prayers remain with First Lady Betty Ford and the entire Ford family tonight; we, as Americans, have an obligation to the Ford family, who has given up so much for the good of our country. We need to ensure that President Ford's legacy including the accomplishments and achievements will live on forever. We must also ensure the mission must be completed, the battle is won and the greatest heights of difficulty conquered. This is what Gerald Ford wanted for all Americans ultimately. He laid down his life in pursuing of inspiring an excellence a nation, which had been scarred by scandal, eroding by inflation, bogged down by foreign policy debacles. We must live up to the legacy of President Ford, which he left behind and I understand this is a tall order, I strongly and firmly believe that it's a challenge every American of all ages, gender, race or party can rise to meet and conquer.

I will not let the American people down. Thank you very much for listening tonight and God Bless the family of President Ford and God Bless America."

 

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BREAKING: FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS ANNOUNCED FOR THE LATE PRESIDENT GERALD FORD
*Public will pay their respects to the 38th President at the US Capitol Rotunda from Wednesday, September 10th-Friday, September 12th, 1975
*State Funeral set for Friday, September 12th, 1975 at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, DC.
*Dignitaries expected to include former President Richard Nixon; former Vice President Hubert Humphrey; former First Ladies & Second Ladies
*President Nelson Rockefeller, US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, United States Senator Robert P. Griffin (R-MI) to deliver eulogies
*Mourners to pay respects inside the MI Statehouse Rotunda in downtown Lansing on Friday evening, September 12th until the early morning HRS of Saturday, September 13th.
*Final Funeral Services to be held at the Grace Episcopal Church in Grand Rapids, MI set for 11:00 AM EST

White House Press Secretary Ron Nessen held a press briefing & announced the following regarding arrangements set for the late President Ford:

Private Family Viewing
Wednesday, September 10th, 1975
10:00 AM EST to 4:00 PM EST
East Room, White House
Washington, DC

Arrival Honors
US Capitol West Front Grounds
5:25 PM EST
Wednesday, September 10th, 1975
*21 Cannon Salute will be fired by the Presidential Salute Battery Unit as "Hail to the Chief" is performed by the US Coast Guard Band
*US House Speaker Carl Albert (D-OK), US Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield (D-MT) will deliver remarks inside the Capitol Rotunda
*Wreaths consisting of the Presidential Seal, US House of Representatives & United States Senate will be placed near the flag-draped casket

Lying in Repose
Wednesday, September 10th-Friday, September 12th, 1975
US Capitol Rotunda
Washington,DC.

Departure Honors:
Friday, September 12th, 1975
US Capitol East Front Grounds
Washington, DC
*During funeral procession, the cortege will stop at the White House for the final time.

State Funeral
Friday, September 12th, 1975
11:00 AM EST
Washington National Cathedral
Washington, DC.
*Speaker will include President Rockefeller, US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, United States Senator Robert P. Griffin (R-MI), former President Richard Nixon
*Performances by the United States Marine Orchestra, Armed Forces Chorus, US Coast Guard Band

Departure Honors Ceremony
Friday, September 12th, 1975
1:30 PM EST
Andrews Air Force Base
Prince Georges County, MD

Welcoming Honors Ceremony
Friday, September 12th, 1975
3:56 PM EST
Capital Region International Airport
Lansing, MI

Lying in Repose
Friday, September 12th-Saturday, September 13th, 1975
MI Statehouse Rotunda
Lansing, MI

Funeral Service:
Saturday, September 13th, 1975
Grace Episcopal Church
Grand Rapids, MI
*Speakers will include US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld & White House Chief of Staff Richard Cheney
*Members of the Ford family will deliver respective eulogies
*Performances by the US Armed Forces Chorus

Final Resting Place:
Woodlawn Cemetery
Grand Rapids, MI
*Performances by the 126th Army Band of the MI Army National Guard Unit of Wyoming, MI
*21 Cannon Salute fired by the 119th Field Artillery Regiment of the MI Army National Guard
*38 F-15s from Seymour Air Force Base of Goldsboro, NC will be performing the flyover in honor of the 38th President
*Flag presented to the Ford family by President Rockefeller
***Future re-interment will be private at the proposed Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum (once it's completed in a few years) located near the Pew Campus of Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, MI at a later date

 

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Making his mark on the American Presidency
1:16 PM EST, Saturday, September 6th, 1975
Oval Office, White House
Washington, DC.

During an afternoon press conference, President Rockefeller justifying his decision in forcing the resignations of US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld & White House Chief of Staff Richard Cheney.​

President Rockefeller entered the Oval Office for the first time as the 39th President of the United States less than 24 HRS after Squeaky Fromme shot & killed his predecessor. He had come to grasp the reality of what had just happened: he was the President & had to remain so in terms of leading the country through this dark period. While the Ford family was inside the private family quarters of the White House packing up their personal belongings, effects, etc., for the trip to Palm Springs, CA; the mood was quiet, somber which was quite obvious considering several staffers from the Ford administration began cleaning out their desks, some were crying & angry over what transpired in Sacramento on that fateful Friday morning.

Rockefeller asked members of the Ford Cabinet to stay on in their current positions, but he had other ideas for those who had snubbed him, sidelined him as well as undermined him, particularly White House Chief of Staff Richard Cheney & US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, both of whom were called into the Oval Office for a "closed-door meeting".

Rumsfeld: "Mr. President, you asked for me and Dick to meet with you on some matters?"
Rockefeller: "Yes I did. I want to say this to you face-to-face, I've evaluated both of your records, analyzed some good ideas while being concerned about your aggressiveness which concerned me because I haven't forgotten the way you and several others threw me under the bus when I wasn't allowed to shape domestic policy under the late President Ford's administration. Plus, I believe you and Cheney have been becoming very too overbearing, looking over people's shoulders and causing too much political toxicity. In order for my administration to get started and wiping the slate clean, I am firing both of you immediately!"
Cheney (who looked startled): "Excuse me Mr. President? Have you l..."
Rockefeller: "You damn right I said it. Both of you can sign your letters of resignation right now! If you don't bow out gracefully, I will call the Secret Service to throw both of your asses out!"
Rumsfeld (who signed his letter of resignation as well as Cheney): "Here is my letter of resignation as Secretary of Defense." handing it to the President.

After Rumsfeld & Cheney left the White House grounds, President Rockefeller called his former VP Chief of Staff Ann C. Whitman to come to the Oval Office, where he notified her that she was officially the new White House Chief of Staff, which she happily accepted. He also called US Defense Deputy Secretary William P. Clements, Jr., over the phone & notified him he was going to be nominated as the new US Secretary of Defense pending Senate confirmation, which Clements accepted.

Rockefeller asked Whitman to compile a list of names who would be considered for the Vice Presidency. As that was going on, Rockefeller also thought to himself some other changes would have to be made inside the White House: he ordered the removal of the indoor bowling alley, by bringing back the indoor swimming pool, which would be finished somewhere around several weeks.

 

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Contenders for the Vice Presidency
2:45 PM EST, Monday, September 8th, 1975
​

The shortlist of names for the Vice Presidency:
*Former CA Governor Ronald Reagan (R): 33rd Governor of CA from January 2nd, 1967 to January 6th, 1975
Military Service: United States Army Reserves; United States Army Air Corps (1937 to 1945) during World War II; served on the 18th Army Air Forces Base Unit with the rank of Captain
Strengths: Hardcore & staunch conservative & popular with the Conservative base of the GOP including backing from the Religious Right; staunch advocate of strong national defense & smaller government
Weaknesses: No foreign policy experience.

*United States Senator Howard Baker (R-TN): United States Senator from TN since 1967
Military Service: United States Navy (1943 to 1946) during World War II
Strengths: Brokering compromises on key pieces of legislation; enacting legislation & maintaining civility. Moderate-to-Conservative GOPer, who played major role in passing the Clean Air Act of 1970.
Weaknesses: Caught in one of the Nixon recordings, telling the disgraced President, "I'm your friend. I'm going to see that your interests are protected."

*US Chief Liaison to PRC George HW Bush: Member of the US House of Representatives from TX's 7th Congressional District (1967-1971); 10th US Ambassador to the United Nations from March 1st, 1971 to January 18th, 1973; Chairman of the Republican National Committee from January 19th, 1973 to September 16th, 1974; 2nd US Chief Liaison to the People's Republic of China since September 26th, 1974.
Military Service: United States Navy (1942 to 1945) during World War II; Fast Carrier Task Force Unit; awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, Presidential Citation Unit.
Strengths: Moderate-to-Conservative GOPer; known as a consensus bridge-builder.
Weaknesses: Closely aligned political views with Rockefeller on several social & domestic issues.

*United States Senator Richard Schweiker (R-PA): United States Senator from PA since 1969; Member of the US House of Representatives from PA's 13th District (1961-1969)
Military Service: United States Navy (1944 to 1946) during World War II; served aboard the aircraft carrier USS Tarawa (CV-40).
Strengths: Comes from a swing battleground state in the Northeast; Moderate-to-Liberal GOPer with slightly conservative views on key issues; supported Civil Rights Act of 1964, Voting Rights Act of 1965 & Civil Rights Act of 1968.
Weaknesses: Opposes the Vietnam War; also opposed the Supreme Court nominations of Clement G. Haysworth & G. Harrold Carswell to the US Supreme Court.

 

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Presidential Cabinet of President Nelson Rockefeller
Monday, September 8th, 1975
​

The Presidential Cabinet of the Rockefeller Administration:
President: Nelson Rockefeller (R-NY St)
Vice President: Nominee pending
US Secretary of State: Henry Kissinger (R-NY St)
US Secretary of the Treasury: William Simon (R-CA)
US Secretary of Defense: Nominee pending
US Attorney General: Edward H. Levi (R-IL)
US Secretary of the Interior: Stanley K. Hathaway (R-WY)
US Secretary of Agriculture: Nominee pending
US Secretary of Commerce: Rogers Morton (R-MD)
US Secretary of Labor: John Thomas Dunlap (R-MA)
US Secretary of Health, Education & Welfare: F. David Matthews (I-AL)
US Secretary of Housing & Urban Development: Carla Anderson Hills (R-CA): 4th female to serve in a Presidential Cabinet
US Secretary of Transportation: William Thaddeus Coleman, Jr., (R-VA): 2nd African American to serve in a Presidential Cabinet
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency: Russell E. Train (R-MD)
Director of Office of Management & Budget: James Lynn (R-OH)
US Trade Representative: Frederick B. Dent (R-SC)
White House Chief of Staff: Ann C. Whitman (R-NY St)
US Ambassador to the United Nations: Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D-NY St)

 

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National & International Highlights of the Rockefeller Presidency
Fall 1975
​

*Sunday, September 7th, 1975: Four American women became the last improperly ordained priests of the Episcopal Church, as Lee McGee, Alison Palmer, Betty Rosenberg & Diane Tickell brought to 15 the number of females to receiving authority "to preach the word of God and to administer His holy sacraments." These women became known as the "Washington Four". On July 29th, 1974, a group of women known as the "Philadelphia Eleven" had been the first to be ordained.

*Monday, September 8th, 1975: Two gunmen took control of a Paris bank, taking seven hostages then escaping with $1,360,000 in ransom money.
*Officials in the intelligence agencies of Israel (The Mossad) & West Germany (BND) met secretly to discuss a joint effort in conducting a new type of electronic eavesdropping by Mossad on foreign offices in Germany.

​

*Tuesday, September 9th, 1975: "Welcome Back, Kotter" premieres on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) in the United States starring Gabe Kaplan. The American television comedy show also featured John Travolta, who portrayed the character of student Vinnie Barbarino.

Argentine President Isabel Martinez de Peron speaking during a trade union meeting on April 4th, 1975.​

*Saturday, September 13th, 1975: Embattled Argentine President Isabel Martinez de Peron, believed by some to be "on the edge of a nervous breakdown", took a temporary leave of absence & was replaced by Senate President Italo Luder. She would resume the Presidential duties on October 16th.

 

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Beginning of the long goodbye
10:00 AM EST, Wednesday, September 10th, 1975
East Room, White House, Washington, DC.

US Armed Forces Honor Guard guarding the flag-draped casket of President Ford inside the East Room of the White House.​

Before descending from the private family quarters on the third floor of the White House, former First Lady Betty Ford was composed, trying to hold it together while secretly tempting to get another "special beverage" in the liquor cabinet (where the White House maids & butlers aggressively removed furiously when the Ford family flew to Sacramento to retrieve Jerry's body).

While the Ford's personal belongings were packed up, placed into U-haul trucks for the trip to Palm Springs, CA; the family held a private prayer upstairs in the family quarters before finally descending downstairs toward the East Room of the White House, where it was quiet as one by one, the family walked up to the flag-draped casket & had several private moments to themselves before sitting down on their designated seats, waiting to be greeted by members of the Presidential Cabinet including President & First Lady Rockefeller (who would be arriving shortly).

Betty wanted to see her husband of 27 years for the final time, which the mortuary directors obliged by opening the casket, showing her husband dressed in dark 2-piece suit with a pin-striped blue tie including the American flag lapel pin on the left lapel of his suit jacket; it also included the Presidential Seal on the white sheet of the casket lid. "Jerry. My Jerry, I'll deeply miss you" Betty said to avoid crying as she kissed her late husband. Soon afterwards, all four of the Ford children walked up to the open casket to bid a final goodbye before the casket was closed & sealed for good.

 

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Lying in Repose
6:00 PM EST, Wednesday, September 10th, 1975
US Capitol Rotunda, Washington, DC.

US Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield (D-MT) delivering remarks.​

Following the private viewing inside the East Room of the White House, it was time for the procession to the US Capitol. Outside the White House, the flags of all 50 US States & US Territories were flying side-by-side as it was all quiet because many people wanted to see the moment when the 38th President would exit the White House for the final time......

The United States Marine Corps Band performed "Hail to the Chief" & "Stars & Stripes Forever" during Departure Honors while the Honor Guard of pallbearers consisting of the US Armed Forces Personnel carried President Ford's flag-draped casket down the steps toward an awaiting hearse; soon afterwards, the Ford family went inside the limousine behind the hearse while many dignitaries were escorted into their awaiting limousines. CBS News, NBC News, ABC News aired live coverage with commercial interruption (which might've annoyed some Soap Opera fans of CBS' "As The World Turns", "Guiding Light" & "Young & the Restless"; NBC's "Days of Our Lives"; ABC's "One Life to Live" & "General Hospital").

The funeral procession to the US Capitol was very dignified without the elaborate fanfare of the state funeral of then-President John F. Kennedy from 12 years earlier. Hundreds of mourners lined up the streets of Washington, DC in silence, some were crying as the hearse carrying the flag-draped casket of the 38th President passed them by, several military veterans of World War II, Korea & Vietnam saluted in silence as the funeral cortege passed them by.

Watching from across the street was Walter Cronkite of CBS Evening News, who along with many others at the CBS News Bureau HQ in Washington, DC., all watched as the funeral cortege drove passed them. Across the country, political campaigning was suspended indefinitely, out of respect for Ford.

During the procession, military units escorted the hearse as it made its way to the sounds of muffled drums. The procession stopped at 4th Street & Constitutional Avenue, where 21 F-15s from Seymour AFB, NC flew over in the missing-man-formation.

Upon arrival at the US Capitol West Front Grounds, "Hail to the Chief" was performed while the 21 Cannon Salute was fired & an in unprecedented historical tribute to President Ford's distinction as the President who served the longest in the US House of Representatives; his flag-draped casket was carried up the west House steps & then placed in repose just outside the main doors to the US House of Representatives chambers (this was a moving moment). The casket remained there for a brief period of repose throughout which, in another unprecedented tribute to Ford, the doors of the House of Representatives was opened & the House chamber was lit during the period of repose. Soon afterwards, the flag-draped casket was carried through Statutory Hall all the way to the US Capitol Rotunda to lie in state on the catafalque of then-President Abraham Lincoln.

US Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield (D-MT), US House Speaker Carl Albert (D-OK) & US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger all delivered remarks, with Mansfield calling President Ford "a dignified public servant, who brought civility and dignity back to the Presidency during traumatic times and moved the country past Watergate."

 

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Highlights of people paying respects to President Ford
Wednesday, September 10th-Friday, September 12th, 1975

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Thousands of Americans filed past the flag-draped casket of President Ford during the three days of public viewing inside the US Capitol Rotunda; thousands of Americans including those of all ethnicities; many military veterans from World War II, Korea & Vietnam including the last few World War I military veterans also paid their respects to President Ford.

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On Thursday, September 11th: former First US First Lady Lady Bird Johnson & her family paid their respects including former President Richard Nixon & his wife, former US First Lady Pat Nixon, all of whom then went to greet the Ford family in person to personally offering their condolences at the White House.

Among the dignitaries who paid their respects:
1.) Korean President Park Chung-hee & his daughter, de-facto Korean First Lady Park Geun-hye.
2.) Japanese Prime Minister Takeo Miki.
3.) Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin.
4.) Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew.
5.) Danish Prime Minister Anker Jorgensen.
6.) Gabonese President Omar Bongo.
7.) West German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt.
8.) King Hussein & his wife, Queen Alia al-Hussein of Jordan.

 

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State Funeral of the 38th President
10:00 AM EST, Friday, September 12th, 1975
US Capitol, Washington, DC.

The flag-draped casket of President Ford is carried down the Senate steps of the US Capitol through the Honor Cordon.​

On Friday, September 12th, 1975: it was time for the Departure Honors Ceremony at the US Capitol for the final time for President Ford. About half an hour before the Departure Honors Ceremony was scheduled to start, participating troops took their positions at the US Capitol. Inside, a national color detail, personal flag bearer, chaplain & joint body bearer team were preparing to form the procession that would take President Ford's casket from the Capitol Rotunda to an awaiting hearse on the East Plaza.

Outside, the United States Coast Guard Band, one officer & 45 musicians, formed on the south side of the plaza at the foot of the east steps. A joint honor cordon, one officer & sixty enlisted men, lined up the steps. In line with the northern rank of the honor cordon on the plaza beside east steps were members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff & the Commandant of the Coast Guard, in position to serve again as the special honor guard.

In an unprecedented move, Ford's casket was taken from the Capitol Rotunda to the US Senate chambers of the Capitol, where he laid in repose for a short period of time, in tribute to his service as Vice President (the Vice President serves as President of the Senate by direction of the US Constitution).

Standing with these officials was USAF General George S. Brown, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Other officials & the Ford family, scheduled to arrive a few minutes before the departure ceremony began, would stand on the plaza opposite the special honor guard. The honorary pallbearers were in two ranks next to the Ford family. Farther out on the plaza, across from the center of the steps, was the hearse. To its front & rear were the remaining limousines that would make up the cortege.

At 9:45 AM EST, after the Ford family & the remaining dignitaries had arrived & taken their places on the plaza, the joint honor guard was dismissed from its vigil at the bier. The body bearers lifted the flag-draped casket from the catafalque & placed it on a moveable bier. The national color detail then led the way out the east entrance of the rotunda, followed by the chaplain, the body bearers with the flag-draped casket & the personal flag bearer.

21 Cannon Salute being fired outside the US Capitol.
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It was 10:00 AM EST, as the national color detail appeared outside the east entrance of the Capitol, the honor cordon presented arms. The procession halted when the body bearers with the casket reached the head of the steps. At that moment, the Coast Guard Band sounded "Ruffles & Flourishes" & played the Presidential anthem "Hail to the Chief" as the 21 Cannon Salute was being fired by the Presidential Salute Battery Unit; then played "Abide with Me". During the hymn, the pallbearers lifted President Ford's flag-draped casket from the bier & the procession resumed, moving down the Senate steps, through the honor cordon, & past the Ford family (Susan Ford was wearing sunglasses trying to contain her composure to avoid crying) & dignitaries on the plaza, to an awaiting hearse. After the casket was placed inside the hearse, the band ceased playing & the honor cordon ordered arms.

The Ford family, escort commander, special honor guard, honorary pallbearers, clergy & dignitaries then went into their limousines; Washington, DC Metropolitan Police Department police escort motorcyclists, departed for the Washington National Cathedral, where the services would begin at 11:00 AM EST. As the cortege moved from the US Capitol to the Cathedral, the carillon's bells tolled 38 times honoring the 38th President. They also slowed down & stopped for a brief moment at the White House for the final time, where mourners lined up the streets of Washington, DC was very quiet as cameras were flashing & TV crews were filming.

As the casket was removed from the hearse, the United States Marine Band played "Hail to the Chief" & "Nearer, My God, to Thee."

State Funeral
11:00 AM EST, Friday, September 12th, 1975
Washington National Cathedral, Washington, DC.

State Funeral of President Gerald Ford at the Washington National Cathedral.​

The musical selections were provided by Cathedral organists; the United States Marine Orchestra; Armed Forces Chorus; Cathedral Choirs of Men, Boys & Girls. The congregation sang the hymn "For All the Saints". All of the selections had been chosen by the Ford family while planning the service.

During the State Funeral, President Ford was eulogized by President Nelson Rockefeller, US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, United States Senator Robert P. Griffin (R-MI) & former President Richard Nixon. The homily sermon was delivered by the Very Reverend Francis B. Sayre, Jr.,; Scriptures were read by Ford's son, John Ford & daughter, Susan Ford.

Among the dignitaries who attended the State Funeral: Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos & his wife, Philippine First Lady Imelda Marcos; Korean President Park Chung-hee & his daughter, de-facto Korean First Lady Park Geun-hye; French President Valery Giscard d'Estaing; West German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt; British Prime Minister Harold Wilson; Japanese Prime Minister Taeko Miki; Italian Prime Minister Aldo Moro; Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau; Mexican President General Oscar Robles; 50 foreign ambassadors & diplomats were also in attendance.

At the conclusion of the State Funeral, "Hail to the Chief" was played once again by the United States Marine Band & the Honor Guard of US Armed Forces personnel carried President Ford's flag-draped casket into the hearse, the cortege then left the Washington National Cathedral for their next destination: Andrews AFB in Camp Springs, MD.

The trip back to the Wolverine State
1:30 PM EST, Friday, September 12th, 1975
Andrews AFB, Camp Springs, MD.

Departure Honors for President Ford at Andrews AFB.
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Upon arriving at Andrews AFB, the United States Air Force Band performed "Hail to the Chief" while the Presidential Salute Battery Unit fired the 21 Cannon Salute. Soon afterwards, the flag-draped casket of President Ford was placed in a special truck carriage before being placed inside Special Air Mission 38; the Ford family then personally thanked several members of President Ford's Cabinet before boarding the plane. Former First Lady Betty Ford turned around to wave goodbye to the large crowd of mourners, who had gathered to say goodbye. She then boarded the plane, walked all the way towards the private cabin where Jerry's flag-draped casket was placed there & sat next to him.

Special Air Mission 38 left Andrews AFB for the final time & headed for their next destination: Lansing, MI where thousands of Michiganders were gathering by lining up the streets of downtown Lansing leading towards the MI Statehouse: where a final public viewing would be taking place later that evening.

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Michiganders paying respects to the 38th President
4:46 PM EST, Friday, September 12th, 1975
MI Statehouse Rotunda, Lansing, MI.

21 Cannon Salute outside the MI Statehouse Grounds in downtown Lansing.​

Upon arriving at the Lansing Capitol Airport in Lansing, MI., Arrival Honors were rendered as the 21 Cannon Salute was fired by the United States Marine Corps Field Regiment Battery Unit; the University of Michigan Marching Band performed "Hail to the Chief" including the University of Michigan's "The Yellow & Blue" as well as "The Victors".

Soon afterwards, television stations across the State of MI broke into regular programming to air live coverage of the procession from the airport all the way to the MI Statehouse grounds in downtown Lansing, where upon arrival: "Hail to the Chief" & "Stars & Stripes Forever" were performed while the 21 Cannon Salute was fired by the US Marine Corps Regiment Artillery Unit. Inside the Statehouse Rotunda, a private memorial service was held, which was hosted by MI Governor William Milliken (R). Among those attending the services: United States Senators Robert P. Griffin (R-MI) & Philip Hart (D-MI); US Reps. John Dingell (D-MI) & John Conyers (D-MI); Lansing Mayor Gerald W. Graves, Detroit Mayor Coleman Young & former US Housing & Urban Development Secretary George Romney.

President Ford Lying in Repose inside the MI Statehouse Rotunda.
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Inside the MI Statehouse Rotunda, an estimated 13,000 & possibly more than 58,000 Michiganders filed past the flag-draped casket of the 38th President & their native son as many stopped during brief, private moment; wept & some even saluted the casket. This was a very emotional time for many Michiganders, who a year ago, were beaming with pride of seeing one of their own becoming President of the United States before the horrific events of September 5th, 1975 in Sacramento, CA altered the course of history.

The Ford family spent the night at the MI Governor's Residence in Lansing upon the request of Governor Milliken as many Michiganders continued filing past President Ford's flag-draped casket inside the MI Statehouse Rotunda for the remainder of the night, which continued until the early morning hours of Saturday, September 13th.

Final Goodbye to Jerry
11:00 AM EST, Saturday, September 13th, 1975
Grace Episcopal Church, Grand Rapids, MI.

Saturday, September 13th, 1975: Funeral Service for President Ford at Grace Episcopal Church in Grand Rapids, MI.​

During the final funeral service at Grace Episcopal Church in Grand Rapids, President Ford was eulogized by former White House Chief of Staff Richard Cheney, former US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, former US Housing & Urban Development Secretary George Romney & members of the Ford family.

The Army Chorus sang "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" & "On Eagle's Wings"; among those in attendance: President Nelson Rockefeller & his wife, First Lady Happy Rockefeller; MI Governor William Milliken (R) & his wife, MI First Lady Helen Wallbank Milliken; members of the MI congressional delegation including several foreign diplomats. Soon afterwards, the US Armed Forces Honor Guard personnel carried President Ford's casket outside the steps of Grace Episcopal Church, where "Hail to the Chief" was rendered once again before being taken to an awaiting hearse from Metcalf & Jonkoff Funeral Services, where the funeral cortege drove all the way to Woodlawn Cemetery, where graveside services would be taken place.

A small group of invited friends, former congressional colleagues including President & First Lady Rockefeller & other dignitaries were in attendance during the graveside services at Woodlawn Cemetery. The 126th Army Band from the MI National Guard Unit of Wyoming, MI performed during the Rite of Committal; the 21 Cannon Salute was fired by the 119th Field Artillery Regiment of the MI Army National Guard. Once the final Cannon Salute was finished, the benediction was given & three volleys from seven rifles were fired, which was followed by the wonderful sounds of "Taps" while 21 F-15s from Seymour AFB, NC performed a south-to-north flyover including the missing man formation. The American flag, which had draped President Ford's casket was then folded & presented to Mrs. Ford by President Rockefeller, at which point television coverage of the graveside services, by prior request of the Ford family, officially concluded.

Soon afterwards, the Ford family spent moments at the casket for final farewells & proceeded back to the Grace Episcopal Church, where a repast was taking place. President & First Lady Rockefeller both approached the casket to say final goodbyes before proceeding back to the airport to fly back to Washington, DC; The invited guests & several dignitaries including several members of the Ford Cabinet were escorted to the casket to bid final goodbyes. At approximately 10:38 PM EST that evening, President Ford's casket was lowered into the ground during a private procedure following which the concrete slab which contained the Presidential Seal, was closed & sealed shut.

Before departing Grand Rapids the following day, Mrs. Ford & her family arrived at Woodlawn Cemetery to see Jerry's temporary gravesite. In front of the gravesite was a large bouquet of flowers that had been prepared from individual flowers taken from bouquets & other floral tributes placed by members of the public earlier in the week. It was confirmed by the Ford family during an impromptu press conference, that upon final construction of the Gerald Rudolph Ford Presidential Museum in Grand Rapids, MI in several years, President Ford's body will be exhumed & re-interred there at a later date once the Presidential Museum is completed.

 

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COMING UP IN THE CURSED AMERICAN PRESIDENCY
October 1st, 1975: Thrilla in Manila (Ali vs Frazier)

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President Rockefeller addresses Joint Session of Congress
*Monday, September 15th, 1975: President Rockefeller addressed a Joint Session of Congress to highlight the upcoming initiatives & objectives of his administration. He discussed ways in balancing the federal budget by acknowledging "We have to be realistic that there are areas which will be facing difficult cuts. I understand what I am asking you will make your constituents angry back at home, but tough decisions on issues like inflation are needed for the overall greater good."

Rockefeller also doubled-down on dismantling the DETENTE Policy with Soviet Union & PRC saying while the initiative was noble, he strongly disagreed with the methods due to long-term foreign policy conflicts in the coming decades. He also strongly doubled-down on increasing military troops in Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Philippines including European countries such as Spain, Germany, Italy, etc.,

BREAKING: PRESIDENT ROCKEFELLER NAMES UNITED STATES SENATOR EDWARD W. BROOKE, III (R-MA) AS VICE PRESIDENT
*Thursday, September 18th, 1975: During a special address inside the East Room of the White House, President Rockefeller announced he was nominating United States Senator Edward William Brooke, III (R-MA) as the next Vice President. This was a surprising pick considering Brooke wasn't on the shortlist of contenders for the Vice Presidency. Talk around Capitol Hill says Brooke is likely going to be easily confirmed by both houses of Congress without any problem.

BREAKING NEWS ALERT: CLEMENTS CONFIRMED AS US DEFENSE SECRETARY
*Saturday, September 20th, 1975: In an overwhelming unanimous vote by the Democratic-controlled United States Senate, US Defense Deputy Secretary William P. Clements, Jr., was confirmed as the next US Secretary of Defense by a vote of 99-0. Later that afternoon, he was officially sworn at the Pentagon by US Ambassador to Great Britain Elliott Richardson.