d) Operation Gemstone

Operation Gemstone, a term lesser-known in the public domain, was indeed associated with the infamous Watergate scandal, one of the most significant political crises in U.S. history. However, it’s important to clarify that Operation Gemstone was actually the codename for a plan of illicit activities proposed by G. Gordon Liddy, a member of the Committee for the Re-Election of the President (CRP), and not for the investigations that followed.

The Watergate scandal, which surfaced in the early 1970s, involved a series of political espionage, sabotage, and illegal activities linked to President Richard Nixon’s re-election campaign. The scandal’s name originated from a break-in at the Democratic National Committee (DNC) headquarters at the Watergate office complex in Washington, D.C. This event, part of the broader scheme of Operation Gemstone, was just the tip of the iceberg.

The subsequent investigations into Watergate revealed a complex web of political spying, wiretapping, and financial misdeeds, along with efforts to cover up these activities. These revelations were largely a result of diligent journalistic reporting and a series of Congressional hearings and trials. The scandal led to the indictment of several members of Nixon’s administration and ultimately unraveled the presidency itself.

The climax of the Watergate scandal was President Nixon’s resignation in August 1974, making him the first and only U.S. President to resign from office. The Watergate scandal had profound effects on American politics, leading to widespread disillusionment with the government and significant reforms in campaign financing and governmental processes. It remains a potent symbol of political corruption and the power of investigative journalism and judicial processes to uphold democratic principles.