Alexander Butterfield, Nixon Aide Who Revealed Watergate Tapes, Dies at 99

Butterfield's disclosure of Nixon's secret taping system hastened the president's resignation over the Watergate scandal.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Alexander Butterfield, the White House aide who revealed that President Richard Nixon had secretly recorded conversations in the Oval Office and Cabinet Room, died at the age of 99. Butterfield's disclosure of the taping system in 1973 played a key role in the Watergate scandal that ultimately led to Nixon's resignation in 1974.

Why it matters

Butterfield's testimony about the existence of the Nixon taping system provided crucial evidence that exposed the president's role in the Watergate cover-up, leading to the unraveling of his administration. The Watergate scandal is considered one of the biggest political crises in modern American history.

The details

As a deputy assistant to Nixon, Butterfield oversaw the taping system that had been secretly installed in several locations, including the Oval Office and Camp David. He later testified that besides himself and the president, only a few others knew about the recordings. The tapes would ultimately reveal Nixon's involvement in the Watergate cover-up and lead to his resignation to avoid impeachment.

  • Butterfield revealed the existence of the taping system during a preliminary interview with Watergate investigators on July 13, 1973.
  • Butterfield's public testimony before the Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities occurred on July 16, 1973.
  • The Supreme Court ordered Nixon to surrender the relevant tapes to the Watergate special prosecutor in July 1974.
  • Nixon resigned on August 9, 1974, less than a month after the Supreme Court ruling.

The players

Alexander Butterfield

A White House aide who served as a deputy assistant to President Richard Nixon from 1969 to 1973. Butterfield revealed the existence of Nixon's secret taping system, which played a key role in the Watergate scandal.

Richard Nixon

The 37th President of the United States, whose administration was brought down by the Watergate scandal after Butterfield disclosed the existence of Nixon's secret taping system.

H.R. Haldeman

Nixon's White House chief of staff, who along with Butterfield and a few others was aware of the president's taping system.

John Dean

White House counsel to Nixon during the Watergate scandal, who helped expose the wrongdoing along with Butterfield.

Gerald Ford

The 38th President of the United States, who allegedly fired Butterfield as FAA administrator in 1975 as part of an agreement with the Nixon administration.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“He had the heavy responsibility of revealing something he was sworn to secrecy on, which is the installation of the Nixon taping system. He stood up and told the truth.”

— John Dean, Former White House counsel (The Associated Press)

“I just thought, 'When they hear those tapes …' I mean, I knew what was on these tapes … they're dynamite. I guess I didn't foresee that the president might be put out of office or impeached, but I thought it would be a perilous few years for him. I guess I couldn't conceive of (Nixon) being forced out of office. It had never happened before.”

— Alexander Butterfield (The Nixon Presidential Library and Museum)

“I didn't think that it would for a while. This guy was the ringleader.”

— Alexander Butterfield (The Nixon Presidential Library and Museum)

What’s next

The National Archives, which now controls the thousands of hours of Nixon tapes, continues to make more of the recordings publicly available over time, providing further insight into the Watergate scandal and the Nixon presidency.

The takeaway

Butterfield's revelation of Nixon's secret taping system was a pivotal moment in the Watergate scandal, exposing the president's role in the cover-up and ultimately leading to his resignation. The case highlights the importance of government transparency and accountability, even at the highest levels of power.