Mark Felt: The Man Who Was Deep Throat | Biography

Summary

The Watergate scandal, one of the most shocking political events in American history, was exposed thanks to Mark Felt, the FBI associate director known as 'Deep Throat.' Born in 1913, Felt served in the FBI from 1942 and became a powerful figure. In 1972, he played a pivotal role in uncovering the involvement of the Nixon administration in the break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters. Felt's anonymous tips to journalists Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein helped trace the scandal to the White House, leading to Nixon's resignation. Felt's identity remained secret until 2005, when he revealed himself, leaving behind a legacy as a key whistleblower.

Takeaways

• 😀 Mark Felt, born in 1913 in Idaho, was an influential figure in the FBI.
• 😀 Felt joined the FBI in 1942 and rose through the ranks, impressing J. Edgar Hoover.
• 😀 Felt was known for his role in the Watergate scandal, serving as an anonymous informant to expose the cover-up.
• 😀 The Watergate break-in occurred on June 17, 1972, with five men arrested for attempting to wiretap the Democratic National Committee.
• 😀 Felt's investigation into Watergate led to the exposure of political motivations behind the break-in.
• 😀 Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein of The Washington Post reported on Watergate, receiving key tips from an anonymous informant.
• 😀 Felt, codenamed 'Deep Throat,' provided Woodward and Bernstein with critical information about the scandal.
• 😀 The leak from Deep Throat helped link the Watergate burglary to the White House and led to President Nixon's resignation in 1974.
• 😀 The identity of Deep Throat remained a mystery for decades until Felt's 2005 revelation to Vanity Fair.
• 😀 Felt's motivations for leaking information remain unclear, though his actions had a lasting impact on whistleblowing in American history.
• 😀 Mark Felt passed away in 2008, leaving behind a legacy as a key figure in exposing one of the most significant political scandals in U.S. history.

Q & A

Who was Mark Felt, and why is he significant in American history?

Mark Felt was a senior FBI official who became famous as 'Deep Throat,' the anonymous informant who helped expose the Watergate scandal in the early 1970s. His role was crucial in uncovering the connections between the break-in at the Democratic National Committee and the Nixon administration, ultimately leading to Nixon's resignation.

What was the Watergate scandal, and why was it important?

The Watergate scandal began in 1972 with a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate complex. It evolved into a major political scandal involving the Nixon administration’s efforts to cover up its role in the crime. It led to President Nixon's resignation in 1974, marking a significant moment in U.S. political history.

What role did Mark Felt play in the investigation of Watergate?

Mark Felt, as an FBI official, was tasked with investigating potential White House involvement in the Watergate break-in. He provided critical information to journalists Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, helping them trace the scandal all the way to the White House.

How did Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein contribute to the Watergate investigation?

Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein were investigative journalists for the Washington Post. They reported extensively on the Watergate scandal, receiving key tips from anonymous sources, including Mark Felt, which allowed them to connect the break-in to higher levels of the Nixon administration.

Why was Mark Felt’s identity as 'Deep Throat' kept secret for so long?

Mark Felt’s identity as 'Deep Throat' remained a secret for decades due to concerns about his safety and the possible repercussions of exposing the truth. The identity of the informant was not revealed publicly until 2005, when Felt himself confirmed it to Vanity Fair.

What was Mark Felt’s background before he became involved in the Watergate scandal?

Mark Felt was born in 1913 in Idaho and joined the FBI in 1942. He gained recognition for his work in tracking enemy spies during World War II and quickly rose through the ranks to become one of the most powerful figures in the FBI, leading the Inspection Division.

What role did J. Edgar Hoover play in Mark Felt’s career?

J. Edgar Hoover, the long-time director of the FBI, was instrumental in Mark Felt’s rise within the agency. Hoover recognized Felt’s talent and hand-picked him for increasingly high-profile assignments, ultimately making Felt one of the most influential figures in the FBI.

Why was Mark Felt passed over for the FBI director position in 1972?

In 1972, after J. Edgar Hoover’s death, President Nixon chose L. Patrick Gray from the Department of Justice to head the FBI instead of Mark Felt, despite Felt’s greater experience and seniority within the agency.

How did Mark Felt’s actions impact the outcome of the Watergate scandal?

Mark Felt’s information, provided to journalists Woodward and Bernstein, was instrumental in uncovering the truth behind the Watergate break-in and its connection to the Nixon administration. This contributed significantly to the pressure on Nixon that eventually led to his resignation in 1974.

What were Mark Felt’s motivations for revealing his identity as 'Deep Throat' in 2005?

Mark Felt’s motivations for revealing his identity as 'Deep Throat' in 2005 remain somewhat unclear. However, at the time, Felt was 91 years old and likely wanted to set the record straight about his involvement in the Watergate scandal and the reasons behind his decision to become an informant.