Initially, President Nixon denied any involvement in the Watergate scandal, stating that he had no knowledge of the break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters. However, as evidence of his administration's involvement in the cover-up mounted, Nixon's public approval ratings began to decline. In August 1974, facing almost certain impeachment by the House of Representatives and possible conviction by the Senate, Nixon became the first president in American history to resign from office. In his resignation speech, he maintained his innocence but acknowledged that he no longer had the political support to continue as president.
