5.9.1974

Impeachment hearings begin in the House Judiciary Committee against Richard M. Nixon. 

8.8.1974

Dingell announces he will support impeachment of Nixon.  The Dearborn Guide reported:  "Congressman John Dingell made his first public statement on the possible impeachment of President Nixon Wednesday, saying that he now advocates an impeachment vote.  Dingell said he opposes resignation of the President because his remaining supporters would charge he was driven from office by self-seeking partisans.  In saying he would vote to impeach when the formal articles come before the House, Dingell said: 'I am appalled by the most recent admissions of the President.  The President has destroyed whatever remaining faith people have in him and his administration.'"(Dearborn Guide, 8.8.74).

8.9.1974

President Nixon resigns.  Vice President and Former House Minority Leader Gerald R. Ford is sworn in as President.  Dingell attends the swearing-in and pledges cooperation.  Ford was a Michigan Congressman and longtime Dingell colleague and friend.  (Dearborn Times Herald, 8.14.74)

9.8.1974

President Ford grants a full pardon to Richard Nixon.  Dingell opposes the pardon:  "While I do not favor the unsightly prospect of a former US President going to jail, I certainly do not agree that a pardon for Mr. Nixon was in order at this time as it is premature, it is questionable if a pardon would ever have been warranted, and it greatly interferes with the pursuit of justice in cases of other persons accused of wrongdoing in the Watergate affairs…it jeopardizes the faith of the American people in their system of laws and government and it raises doubts as to whether there is equal justice to all under our system.  I believe the American public still has a right to know of all documented evidence."(River Rouge Ecorse, 9.18.74)
"Noting that President Ford's pardon of former President Nixon has 'jeopardized the trust of the people in their country' Congressman Dingell said this week he is 'disgusted and outraged' at the decision.  Dingell in an interview with the Guide said, 'To quote me as saying I'm disgusted and outraged is a gross understatement.  This decision jeopardizes the faith of the American people in their system of laws and government; and it raises doubts as to whether there is equal justice to all under our system.'"(Dearborn Guide, 9.12.74) 

11.5.1974

Dingell is elected to an 11th term with 78% of the vote against Wallace D. English.  Vote results: 95,834 – 25,248.

In the first federal election after Watergate, the 'Watergate class' is elected, including some 75 new Democratic members.