Ivanka might lose her security clearance.  Her Chinese workers have better credentials.

Medical researchers are studying Sean Spicer’s brain to determine how he’s able to speak without a brain.

For those of you who aren’t aware of the details of the Watergate scandal, let’s take a look at some of its timeline and see if we can see any parallels with Trumpgate.

In November, 1968, Richard Nixon was elected the 37^th president of the United States, defying all odds, since he had lost the presidency in 1960.

In June, 1971, the “Pentagon Papers,” the Defense Department’s secret history of the Vietnam War, was leaked to the New York Times and Washington Post.

In September, 1971, the White House “plumbers unit,” which was formed to plug leaks and broke into the psychiatrist of the leaker of the information.  The White House denied any involvement.

In June, 1972, 5 burglars, including a White House aide, broke into the Democratic National Committee office in the Watergate complex, with intentions to bug the office, but they are caught.

In September, 1972, the attorney general controlled a secret Republican fund to gather intelligence against the Democrats.

In October, 1972, the FBI establishes that there was a massive campaign of political spying and sabotage on behalf of the Nixon re-election effort.

In November, 1972, Nixon is overwhelmingly re-election.

From January, 1973 through April, 1973, White House aides and staffers are convicted of conspiracy and burglary, and others resign over the scandal.  Nixon fires the White House counsel, John Dean.

In May, 1973, the Senate Watergate committee begins its hearings.  A special prosecutor, Archibald Cox, is named.

In July, 1973, a formal white house appointments secretary, revealed that Nixon recorded all conversations and calls in his office.  Nixon refuses to turn over the tapes.

In October, 1973, Nixon fires the special prosecutor and abolishes the office.  Attorney general resigns.

In November, 1973, Nixon declares, “I am not a crook.”

In April, 1974, the White House releases 1200 pages of edited transcripts of the tapes, which shows an 18-1/2 minute gap.

In July, 1974, the Supreme Court rules that Nixon must turn over the tapes.  The House of Representatives Judiciary Committee passes the first of 3 articles of impeachment.

In August, 1974, Richard Nixon becomes the first U.S. President to resign.

Anything sound the least bit familiar?

During the scandal, a humor columnist, Art Buchwald, wrote a tongue-in-cheek list of instant responses for the loyal Nixonites when they had to defend the administration.  Here are a few of them (capitals are my emphasis):

·        A President CAN’T KEEP TRACK OF EVERYTHING his staff does.

·        The PRESS is blowing the whole thing up.

·        The Democrats are sore because THEY LOST THE ELECTION.

·        Are you going to believe a rat like John Dean or the President of the United States?

·        Wait till all the facts come out.

·        What about Daniel Ellsberg stealing the Pentagon Papers?

·        IT HAPPENS IN EUROPE all the time.

·        People would be against Nixon NO MATTER WHAT HE DID.

·        WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL ABOUT FINDING OUT WHAT YOUR OPPOSITION IS UP TO?

·        Maybe they went a little too far, but they were just a bunch of eager KIDS.

·        Franklin D. Roosevelt DID A LOT WORSE THINGS.

·        If the Democrats had the money, THEY WOULD HAVE DONE THE SAME THINGS.

This could have been written yesterday.