Richard Nixon: “Before explaining Operation Safeguard, I want to restate certain things stressed in my Iowa talk last week, that I…”

This legislation exceeds my budgetary recommendations by such a large amount--some $540 million--that it presents a clear and distinct threat to our fight against inflation and cannot be accepted.

It is regrettable that the Congress has seen fit to add to a bill of such importance to our national security a rider adversely affecting the constitutional separation of powers.

I did not realize the extent of the implications which these conversations might now appear to have.

Therefore, I shall resign the Presidency effective at noon tomorrow.