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

Butterfield's revelation of Nixon's secret taping system hastened the president's resignation.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Alexander Butterfield, the White House aide who disclosed the existence of President Richard Nixon's secret taping system during the Watergate scandal, has died at the age of 99. Butterfield's revelation of the taping system, which recorded Nixon's conversations in the Oval Office and Cabinet Room, ultimately led to the president's resignation in 1974.

Why it matters

Butterfield's disclosure of the taping system was a pivotal moment in the Watergate scandal, as it provided the evidence needed to expose Nixon's role in the cover-up and led to his eventual resignation. The revelation shook the foundations of the presidency and had lasting impacts on the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches.

The details

As a deputy assistant to the president, Butterfield oversaw the taping system connected to voice-activated listening devices that had been secretly placed in four locations, including Nixon's office and the presidential retreat at Camp David. Butterfield later testified under oath that "everything was taped ... as long as the president was in attendance." The tapes would ultimately expose Nixon's role in the Watergate cover-up, leading to his resignation to avoid impeachment.

  • Butterfield served as a deputy assistant to Nixon from 1969 to 1973.
  • On July 13, 1973, Butterfield revealed the existence of the taping system to Senate committee staffers during their investigation of the Watergate break-in.
  • In August 1974, the Supreme Court ordered Nixon to surrender the relevant tapes to the Watergate special prosecutor, leading to his resignation less than a month later.

The players

Alexander Butterfield

A White House aide who oversaw the secret taping system installed in the Oval Office and Cabinet Room during the Nixon administration. Butterfield's disclosure of the taping system was a pivotal moment in the Watergate scandal.

Richard Nixon

The 37th President of the United States, whose secret taping system was exposed by Butterfield, leading to Nixon's resignation to avoid impeachment.

H.R. Haldeman

Nixon's White House chief of staff, who along with a handful of others was believed to be aware of the taping system.

John Dean

Nixon's former White House counsel, whose testimony prompted the questioning that led to Butterfield's disclosure of the taping system.

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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 (NBC News)

“I didn't like to be the cause of that, but I felt that I was, in a lot of ways.”

— Alexander Butterfield (Nixon Presidential Library and Museum)

What’s next

The revelation of the taping system led to a Supreme Court ruling ordering Nixon to surrender the relevant tapes, ultimately leading to his resignation less than a month later.

The takeaway

Butterfield's disclosure of the Nixon taping system was a pivotal moment in the Watergate scandal, exposing the president's role in the cover-up and setting in motion the events that led to his resignation. The scandal had lasting impacts on the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches, and Butterfield's actions were instrumental in this historic moment.