Alexander Porter Butterfield, a former aide to President Richard Nixon, has passed away at the age of 99. He died on March 9, 2023, at his residence in La Jolla, California. Butterfield is best remembered for his pivotal role in the Watergate scandal, notably for revealing the existence of a secret taping system within the White House during a Senate hearing in 1973.
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The confirmation of his death was provided by both his wife, Kim Butterfield, and John Dean, who served as White House counsel during the Watergate investigation. Dean remarked on the profound responsibility Butterfield bore, stating, “He had the heavy responsibility of revealing something he was sworn to secrecy on… He stood up and told the truth.” This revelation ultimately played a crucial role in unravelling the cover-up that followed the infamous break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters.
On July 16, 1973, Butterfield, at the time the head of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), testified before the Senate Watergate Committee. During this critical session, he was interrogated by Senator Fred Thompson, a Republican from Tennessee, who served as the chief minority counsel. Butterfield disclosed that only a handful of individuals, including himself, Nixon, White House Chief of Staff H.R. Haldeman, and a few Secret Service agents, were aware of the recording devices that captured all conversations in the presence of the President.
The existence of these tapes would later expose Nixon’s involvement in the subsequent cover-up of the Watergate break-in. As investigations intensified, and with the Supreme Court eventually ordering the release of the recordings, Nixon faced mounting pressure which culminated in his resignation on August 9, 1974, to avoid impeachment.
Butterfield reflected on the gravity of his testimony in a 2008 interview, acknowledging the weight of his role in Nixon’s downfall. He stated, “I didn’t like to be the cause of that, but I felt that I was, in a lot of ways.” He was acutely aware of the damaging content of the tapes, describing them as “dynamite” and revealing his surprise at the potential outcome of Nixon’s presidency, which had never been cut short in such a manner before.
Butterfield’s career in public service began long before his time in the Nixon administration. Born in Pensacola, Florida, on April 6, 1926, he joined the U.S. Air Force in 1948, serving as an instructor during the Korean War and later in Germany. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland in 1956 and a master’s degree from George Washington University in 1967. His military background equipped him for various roles, including serving as a military assistant to the Secretary of Defense and representing U.S. Pacific Forces in Australia.
After his departure from the White House, Butterfield became the administrator of the FAA. However, in 1975, he was seemingly dismissed from this position by President Gerald Ford, a move speculated to be part of a broader agreement between Nixon’s and Ford’s staff. He subsequently transitioned into the private sector, working as a business executive in California.
Reflecting on the events that transpired on the day of Nixon’s resignation, Butterfield reportedly experienced a complex mix of emotions. According to journalist Bob Woodward’s book, “The Last of the President’s Men,” he expressed surprise at the sorrowful atmosphere surrounding him, stating, “It was sad, yes. But justice had prevailed. Inside, I was cheering.”
In his later years, Butterfield remained a figure of historical significance and was recognised for his contributions to American political history. He exemplified an individual caught in the tumultuous currents of the Watergate scandal, demonstrating the challenges of loyalty, truth, and morality in the realm of politics.
His legacy as a whistleblower and a dedicated public servant will endure as a reminder of the importance of accountability within the highest offices of government. Butterfield’s story serves not only as a historical account of a critical moment in U.S. political history but also as a testament to the necessity of transparency and truth in leadership.