The Watergate scandal fundamentally reshaped American politics, leading to a significant loss of public trust in government institutions. The scandal, involving a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters and subsequent cover-ups by the Nixon administration, culminated in President Nixon resigning in 1974. Its aftermath spurred reforms aimed at increasing government transparency and enhancing campaign finance laws. It also set a precedent for how investigations into presidential misconduct could be conducted, reinforcing the principle that no one is above the law, which continues to inform political discourse today.