John Dean

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John W. Dean served as White House counsel for President Richard Nixon from 1970 to 1973. During the Watergate scandal, his Senate testimony helped lead to Nixon's resignation. Dean has written about Watergate in...

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Mr. Trump, Have You Heard About Democratic Values?

John Dean / Truthdig Aug 9, 2017 An effort should be launched to educate our president. His desecration of traditions could pose a constitutional crisis. Dig deeper ( 7 Min. Read )

A Dud From ‘Darth’

John Dean / Truthdig Sep 9, 2011 As I mentioned to friends when I started reading Dick Cheney’s memoir, I was doing it so others would not have to. And, as a precaution, I did it alone in case my head exploded. It did not. This book is a bomb, but not the exploding kind.Dick Cheney’s book is a bomb, but not the exploding kind. Dig deeper ( 8 Min. Read )

John Dean Knows How to Get Rid of Clarence Thomas

BLANK Jun 29, 2011 For good reason, there has been serious hand-wringing over what to do about the ethical lapses of US Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas There is clear precedent for how to deal with the justice Thomas could be forced off the benchThere is clear precedent for how to deal with the justice. Dig deeper ( 8 Min. Read )

A Supreme Victory for Special Interests

John Dean / Truthdig Jan 22, 2010 The conservative majority of the U.S. Supreme Court, none of whom has been elected to anything, ever, has given a monumental victory to special interests. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Looking for Great ‘Big History’ Books

John Dean / Truthdig Aug 11, 2009 My late friend Ron Silver, the actor and political activist, once asked me a question that I have continued to think about ever since. On the afternoon of his last New Year's Eve, when he surprised me by coming to California, he wanted to know if I had found any great "big history" books.I have been thinking about my late friend Ron Silver's last words to me for months: "Find someone to start a big history Web site," he urged. Dig deeper ( 6 Min. Read )

Palin Falls Short of VP Standards

John Dean / Truthdig Sep 13, 2008 Does anyone believe that if John McCain were president and had selected Gov. Sarah Palin under the 25th Amendment to fill a vacancy in the vice presidency Congress would have confirmed her? Not likely. In fact, it is even less likely that McCain would have even attempted to do so, for he would have embarrassed himself. Dig deeper ( 7 Min. Read )

Despite Incompetence, Gonzales Isn’t Going Anywhere

John Dean / Truthdig Apr 26, 2007 The Nixon White House counsel who famously coined the term "cancer on the presidency" examines another troubled administration, writing that although the Gonzales affair is far from over, the attorney general still has job security. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )