Alexander Butterfield, who revealed Nixon Watergate tapes, dies aged 99

Alexander Butterfield, the former White House aide who revealed the existence of Richard Nixon's Oval Office recording system, died Monday at age 99. In 1973, during Senate committee questioning related to the Watergate scandal, Butterfield disclosed that Nixon had been recording conversations in the White House. This revelation provided crucial evidence of Nixon's involvement in the Watergate cover-up, which ultimately led to his resignation in 1974. Butterfield, who was then head of the FAA and formerly White House deputy chief of staff, had overseen the installation of the recording system. The tapes, which were eventually released after a Supreme Court ruling, exposed Nixon's knowledge and role in the Watergate break-in and subsequent cover-up.

Alexander Butterfield, the Nixon White House aide who revealed the existence of the Watergate tapes, has died at the age of 99. Butterfield's disclosure to the Senate Watergate Committee in July 1973 revealed that President Nixon had been secretly recording conversations in the Oval Office and Cabinet Room. This revelation ultimately led to Nixon's resignation as the tapes became central to the investigation. Butterfield's role in uncovering the tapes inadvertently hastened Nixon's departure from office. His death was confirmed by his wife, Kim, and John Dean, former White House counsel to Nixon.