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To understand the American government, consider Richard Nixon, the most popular president, who was ousted without a vote, replaced by Gerald Ford, the only unelected president. Nixon, reelected in 1972 by a historic margin, believed federal agencies were undermining the government. In June 1972, he suggested to CIA Director Richard Helms that the CIA was involved in JFK's assassination, but Helms remained silent. The Watergate scandal began with a break-in, involving CIA operatives. Bob Woodward, a former naval officer with ties to intelligence, reported on Watergate, using FBI Deputy Director Mark Felt as his source. Meanwhile, Nixon's vice president, Spiro Agnew, resigned, leading to Ford's appointment. This series of events illustrates how unelected officials influence American politics, undermining democracy.