Watergate's 'Deep Throat' Revealed: When Mark Felt Owned Up

By | February 1, 2018

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Left: Hal Holbrook as 'Deep Throat' in 'All The President's Men.' Right: Poster art for the adult film from 1972 that inspired Mark Felt's pseudonym. Sources: IMDB; wrongsideoftheart.com

The Watergate scandal, exposed by Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein with help from an informant dubbed "Deep Throat," rocked the United States during the early 70s. With all the makings of a story for the big screen -- politics, public officials (including President Nixon), break-ins and wiretapping, a cover-up and a mysterious informant -- it was front-page news that brought down a president. Woodward and Bernstein's reportage explained everything to the American public, but one key detail remained a secret for over 30 years: The identity of Deep Throat. In 2005, the world learned that the mystery man was former FBI Associate Director Mark Felt.

Nixon Resigned To Avoid Impeachment

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Some of the Watergate burglars and their lawyer. Source: Pinterest

The Nixon administration had gotten in way over its collective head with this one.  An informant, referred to as Deep Throat, blew the infamous scandal right out of the water. The scandal led to the discovery of despicable abuse of power and was the unfortunate downfall of dozens of people; not the least of which were directly connected to Nixon. Eventually, Richard Nixon had no option but to resign his office to avoid being impeached. As a result, Vice President Gerald Ford assumed his role as President.