White House Plumbers

The White House Plumbers was a covert team formed during President Richard Nixon's administration in 1971. Their primary mission was to stop and investigate leaks of classified information, particularly regarding the Vietnam War. However, they became infamous for their involvement in illegal activities, including the break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate complex in 1972. This scandal ultimately led to Nixon's resignation in 1974, as it revealed abuses of power and a cover-up attempt by the administration. The term "Plumbers" reflects their role in "plugging" leaks, highlighting the tension between security and legality.