Alexander Butterfield, Who Exposed Nixon Tapes, Dies at 99

Alexander Butterfield, the former White House aide who revealed the existence of President Richard Nixon’s secret recording system during the Watergate scandal, has died at the age of 99.

His death was confirmed by his wife, Kim Butterfield, to The Washington Post and The New York Times. According to the reports, Butterfield passed away at his home in the seaside community of La Jolla in San Diego. He died just one month before his 100th birthday. The cause of death has not been disclosed.

The revelation that changed American history

Butterfield became a key figure in the Watergate investigation in 1973 when he revealed that conversations inside the White House were secretly recorded. His testimony confirmed that President Nixon had installed a voice-activated taping system that automatically recorded meetings and phone calls in the Oval Office and other locations.

On July 16, 1973, during a televised hearing of the Senate Watergate Committee, Butterfield acknowledged the existence of the recording system after being asked by committee counsel Fred Thompson. The revelation stunned the nation because it meant there was a direct record of the president’s conversations.

The tapes later became critical evidence in the Watergate investigation.

The “smoking gun” tape

One of the recordings, made just six days after the Watergate break-in on June 17, 1972, proved to be the decisive piece of evidence. The tape showed that Nixon had discussed plans to halt the investigation into the break-in, which was seen as an attempt to cover up the crime.

The Supreme Court of the United States eventually ordered the White House to hand over the recordings, rejecting Nixon’s claim of executive privilege. Facing impeachment and losing political support, President Nixon resigned on August 9, 1974.

Military career and White House role

Born in Pensacola, Florida, Butterfield grew up in California and attended University of California, Los Angeles. He joined the United States Air Force in 1948 and later served as a combat pilot during the Vietnam War, commanding a tactical reconnaissance squadron.

Butterfield eventually joined the White House staff as deputy to Nixon’s chief of staff, H. R. Haldeman, a former friend from UCLA. One of his responsibilities was maintaining a historical record of the presidency, which included overseeing the installation of the secret recording system.

By the time the Watergate investigation intensified, Butterfield had already left the White House to become the head of the Federal Aviation Administration.

Later life and legacy

Although Butterfield was not involved in the Watergate break-in or the cover-up, his testimony played a crucial role in uncovering the truth. Several Nixon administration officials, including Haldeman, were later convicted and sent to prison.

Butterfield later became a central figure in the 2015 book The Last of the President's Men by journalist Bob Woodward, who helped expose the Watergate scandal.

In later interviews, Butterfield said he did not regret the outcome that followed his revelation and believed Nixon should have resigned earlier.

Butterfield also served as an adviser on the 1995 film Nixon, directed by Oliver Stone, even making a brief cameo appearance as a White House staff member.

His role in revealing the secret tapes remains one of the most important moments in modern American political history.