GFPortrait comingOfficial portrait of Gerald Ford
38th president of the United States · 1974–1977

Gerald Ford

RepublicanVice president: Nelson RockefellerCompleted Nixon's term; lost the 1976 election

The only president never elected president or vice president. He took office when Nixon resigned, pardoned him a month later, and governed through high inflation, the deep 1974–75 recession, the fall of Saigon and two attempts on his life. He lost narrowly to Jimmy Carter in 1976.

Debt added
+$145.37billion
$475.06 billion → $620.43 billion (+31%)
Debt-to-GDP, latest
35%
FY1974: 32% → FY1976: 35%
Unemployment
7.5%
Aug 1974: 5.5% → Jan 1977: 7.5%
Average inflation
7.4%a year
1974–1976: 7.4% a year
Executive orders
169
About 69 a year in office
Pardons & commutations
404
382 pardons · 22 commutations
Impeached
No
No · Convicted of a crime: No

The economy, first day to last

Shaded areas show the years in office, with a few years before and after for comparison. Budget years ran July to June until 1976 (now October to September), so each year's figures cover parts of two calendar years.

National debt

June 30, 1974 (end of fiscal 1974): $475.06 billion → June 30, 1976 (end of fiscal 1976): $620.43 billion

Daily debt figures don't exist before 1993, so Ford's numbers use the fiscal years closest to his term.

Debt compared with the economy

Debt as a share of GDP. Above 100% means the debt is bigger than a year of everything the country produces.

Deficits and surpluses

Money borrowed each budget year (below the line) or paid down (above).

DeficitSurplus

Unemployment

Aug 1974: 5.5% → Jan 1977: 7.5%. Monthly rates; the chart shows yearly averages.

Inflation

How much prices rose each year (consumer price index).

Cost of living

What everyday prices and paychecks did while in office.

What cost $100 in 1974$115.43 in 1976
Federal minimum wage, 1974 → 1977$2.00 → $2.30

Prices use the consumer price index (MeasuringWorth). The minimum wage is the federal rate set by Congress.

Executive orders

169 orders, numbered 11798–11966. The split between 1974 and 1975 may be off by one order.

Orders signed each year

Source: National Archives: Ford executive orders (full list of every order).

Notable orders

Presidential Clemency BoardEO 11803September 16, 1974

Set up a board to review cases of draft evaders and deserters who agreed to do alternative service.

Federal Register
Rockefeller Commission on the CIAEO 11828January 4, 1975

Created a commission to investigate illegal CIA spying on Americans, after press reports.

Federal Register
Screening foreign investment (CFIUS)EO 11858May 7, 1975

Created the committee that reviews foreign purchases of U.S. companies for national security risks.

Federal Register
Rules for intelligence agenciesEO 11905February 18, 1976

The first presidential ban on political assassination by U.S. government employees, after revelations of plots against foreign leaders.

Federal Register
Every executive order 169Search, filter by topic or year, and open any order's full text
  1. EO 11798August 14, 1974Revoking Executive Order No. 11796 of July 30, 1974, and Continuing in Effect Executive Order No. 11533 of June 4, 1970, Relating to the Administration of Export Controls
  2. EO 11799August 17, 1974Amending Executive Order No. 11554 as it Relates to the Establishment of a Maximum Percentage of Navy and Marine Corps Officers Who May be Recommended for Promotion from Below the Appropriate Promotion Zone
  3. EO 11800August 17, 1974Delegating Certain Authority Vested in the President by the Aviation Career Incentive Act of 1974Revoked
  4. EO 11801August 21, 1974The Honorable Rodger P. Davies
  5. EO 11802September 4, 1974General Creighton W. Abrams, Chief of Staff, United States Army
  6. EO 11803September 16, 1974Establishing a Clemency Board to Review Certain Convictions of Persons Under Section 12 or 6 (j) of the Military Selective Service Act and Certain Discharges Issued Because of, and Certain Convictions for, Violations of Article 85, 86, or 87 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice and to Make Recommendations for Executive Clemency with Respect Thereto
  7. EO 11804September 16, 1974Delegation of Certain Functions Vested in the President to the Director of Selective Service
  8. EO 11805September 20, 1974Inspection by President and Certain Designated Employees of the White House Office of Tax Returns Made Under the Internal Revenue Code of 1954
  9. EO 11806September 25, 1974Amending Executive Order No. 11763 of January 17, 1974, to Extend the Life of the National Commission for the Observance of World Population Year
  10. EO 11807September 28, 1974Occupational Safety and Health Programs for Federal Employees
  11. EO 11808September 30, 1974Establishing the President's Economic Policy Board, and for Other Purposes
  12. EO 11809September 30, 1974Establishing the President's Labor-Management Committee
  13. EO 11810September 30, 1974Continuing the Regulation of Exports
  14. EO 11811October 7, 1974Adjusting Rates of Pay for Certain Statutory Pay Systems
  15. EO 11812October 7, 1974Adjusting the Rates of Basic Pay, Basic Allowance for Subsistence and Basic Allowance for Quarters for Members of the Uniformed Services
  16. EO 11813October 7, 1974Permitting Cooperative Education Students to be Given Career or Career-Conditional Appointments
  17. EO 11814October 11, 1974Activation of the Energy Resources Council
  18. EO 11815October 23, 1974Delegating to the National Capital Planning Commission the Function of Establishing the Metes and Bounds of the National Capital Service Area
  19. EO 11816October 23, 1974Delegation of Certain Reporting Functions Under the Foreign Assistance Act to the Secretary of the Treasury
  20. EO 11817November 5, 1974Delegating the United States Civil Service Commission as the Agent to Concur With Agency Determinations Fixing the Age Limits Within Which Original Appointments May be Made With Respect to Law Enforcement Officer and Firefighters Positions
  21. EO 11818November 5, 1974Revoking Executive Order No. 11810 of September 30, 1974, and Continuing in Effect Executive Order No. 11533 of June 4, 1970, Relating to the Administration of Export Control
  22. EO 11819November 16, 1974Membership of the Energy Resources Council
  23. EO 11820November 27, 1974International Council on Archives-Bicentennial Year Meeting
  24. EO 11821November 27, 1974Inflation Impact Statements
  25. EO 11822December 10, 1974Designation of Certain Officers To Act as Secretary of the TreasuryRevoked
  26. EO 11823December 12, 1974Abolishing the National Commission for Industrial Peace
  27. EO 11824December 28, 1974Exemption of Whitney Gillilland From Mandatory Retirement
  28. EO 11825December 31, 1974Revocation of Executive Orders Pertaining to the Regulation of the Acquisition of, Holding of, or Other Transactions in Gold
  29. EO 11826December 31, 1974Exemption of Willard Deason From Mandatory Retirement
  30. EO 11827January 4, 1975Continuance of Certain Federal Advisory Committees
  31. EO 11828January 4, 1975Establishing a Commission on CIA Activities Within the United States
  32. EO 11829January 6, 1975The Hopi-Navajo Land Settlement Interagency Committee
  33. EO 11830January 9, 1975Enlarging the Membership of the Interagency Committee on Handicapped Employees
  34. EO 11831January 9, 1975Amending Executive Order No. 11768, Placing Certain Positions in Levels IV and V of the Executive Schedule
  35. EO 11832January 9, 1975Establishing a National Commission on the Observance of International Women's Year, 1975
  36. EO 11833January 13, 1975Withholding of City Income or Employment Taxes by Federal Agencies
  37. EO 11834January 15, 1975Activation of the Energy Research and Development Administration and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
  38. EO 11835January 27, 1975Prescribing Amendments to the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States, 1969 (Revised Edition)
  39. EO 11836January 27, 1975Increasing the Effectiveness of the Transportation Cargo Security Program
  40. EO 11837January 30, 1975Amending Executive Order No. 11803 of September 16, 1974, to Extend the Period for Application for Clemency Board Review of Certain Convictions and Military Service Discharges
  41. EO 11838February 6, 1975Amending Executive Order No. 11491, as Amended by Executive Orders 11616 and 11636, Relating to Labor-Management Relations in the Federal Service
  42. EO 11839February 15, 1975Amending the Civil Service Rules to Except Certain Positions in Regional Offices from the Career Service
  43. EO 11840February 18, 1975Waiver of Certain Provisions of Law and Limitations of Authority
  44. EO 11841February 28, 1975Amending Executive Order No. 10973, Relating to Administration of Foreign Assistance and Related Functions, to Provide for a Development Coordination Committee
  45. EO 11842February 28, 1975Amending Executive Order Nos. 11803 and 11837 to Further Extend the Period for Application for Clemency Board Review of Certain Convictions and Military Service Discharges
  46. EO 11843March 18, 1975Amending Executive Order No. 11768, Placing Certain Positions in Levels IV and V of the Executive Schedule
  47. EO 11844March 24, 1975Designation of Beneficiary Developing Countries for the Generalized System of Preferences Under the Trade Act of 1974
  48. EO 11845March 24, 1975Delegating Certain Reporting Functions to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget
  49. EO 11846March 27, 1975Administration of the Trade Agreements ProgramAmended
  50. EO 11847March 28, 1975Exemption of Walter C. Sauer From Mandatory Retirement
  51. EO 11848March 29, 1975Extending the Reporting Date for the Commission on CIA Activities Within the United States
  52. EO 11849April 1, 1975Establishing the Collective Bargaining Committee in Construction
  53. EO 11850April 8, 1975Renunciation of Certain Uses in War of Chemical Herbicides and Riot Control Agents
  54. EO 11851April 10, 1975Delegation of Authority to Issue Regulations Limiting Imports of Certain Cheeses
  55. EO 11852April 16, 1975Creating an Emergency Board to Investigate a Dispute Between the Carriers Represented by the National Railway Labor Conference and Certain of Their Employees
  56. EO 11853April 17, 1975Amending Executive Order No. 11829, Relating to the Hopi-Navajo Land Settlement Interagency Committee
  57. EO 11854April 24, 1975Waiver Under the Trade Act of 1974 With Respect to the Socialist Republic of Romania
  58. EO 11855May 1, 1975Membership of the Energy Resources Council
  59. EO 11856May 7, 1975Amending the Civil Service Rules to Except Certain Positions From the Career Service
  60. EO 11857May 7, 1975Amending Executive Order Nos. 11803, 11837, and 11842 to Provide Authority to Increase the Number of Members of the Presidential Clemency Board
  61. EO 11858May 7, 1975Foreign Investment in the United StatesAmended
  62. EO 11859May 7, 1975Inspection of Income, Estate, and Gift Tax Returns by the Senate Committee on Government Operations
  63. EO 11860May 19, 1975Establishing the President's Advisory Committee on Refugees
  64. EO 11861May 21, 1975Placing Certain Positions in Levels IV and V of the Executive Schedule
  65. EO 11862June 11, 1975Amending Executive Order No. 11652 Relating to Classification and Declassification of National Security Information and Material
  66. EO 11863June 12, 1975Withholding of City Income or Employment Taxes by Federal Agencies
  67. EO 11864June 13, 1975Amending Executive Order No. 11861, Placing Certain Positions in Levels IV and V of the Executive Schedule
  68. EO 11865June 16, 1975Amending Executive Order No. 11808 of September 30, 1974 to Increase the Membership of the Executive Committee of the Economic Policy Board
  69. EO 11866June 18, 1975Designating the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) as a Public International Organization Entitled to Enjoy Certain Privilages, Exemptions, and Immunities
  70. EO 11867June 19, 1975Delegating to the Administrator of General Services Authority to Issue Joint Funding Regulations
  71. EO 11868June 19, 1975President's Commission on Olympic Sports
  72. EO 11869June 24, 1975Exemption of Arthur S. Fleming From Mandatory Retirement
  73. EO 11870July 18, 1975Environmental Safeguards on Activities for Animal Damage Control on Federal Lands
  74. EO 11871July 18, 1975Transferring the SCORE and ACE Programs from the ACTION Agency to the Small Business Administration
  75. EO 11872July 21, 1975Amending Executive Order No. 11861, Placing Certain Positions in Levels IV and V of the Executive Schedule
  76. EO 11873July 21, 1975Amending Executive Order No. 11868, on the President's Commission on Olympic Sports
  77. EO 11874July 25, 1975Delegation of Functions to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget
  78. EO 11875August 9, 1975Delegating Certain Functions to the Secretary of Transportation
  79. EO 11876September 2, 1975Creating an Emergency Board to Investigate a Dispute Between the Carriers Represented by the National Railway Labor Conference and Certain of Their Employees
  80. EO 11877September 2, 1975Amending Executive Order No. 11861, as Amended, Placing Certain Positions in Levels IV and V of the Executive Schedule
  81. EO 11878September 10, 1975Assigning Responsibilities Relating to Activities of the Presidential Clemency Board
  82. EO 11879September 17, 1975Delegating to the Secretary of Commerce Functions Relating to Orders for the Provision of Chemicals or Substances Necessary for Treatment of Water
  83. EO 11880October 2, 1975Designation of Officers of the Department of Commerce to Act as Secretary of CommerceRevoked
  84. EO 11881October 3, 1975Delegation of Authority to Issue Regulations With Respect to Section 459 of the Social Security Act
  85. EO 11882October 6, 1975Membership of Energy Research and Development Administration on Established River Basin Commissions
  86. EO 11883October 6, 1975Adjustments of Certain Rates of Pay and Allowances
  87. EO 11884October 7, 1975Prescribing the Official Coat of Arms, Seal, and Flag of the Vice President of the United States
  88. EO 11885October 15, 1975Amending Executive Order No. 11861, as Amended, Placing Certain Positions in Levels IV and V of the Executive Schedule
  89. EO 11886October 17, 1975Abolishing the Culebra Island Naval Defensice Sea Area Established by Executive Order No. 8684
  90. EO 11887November 4, 1975Amending the Civil Service Rules to Except Certain Positions from the Career Service
  91. EO 11888November 24, 1975Implementing the Generalized System of Preferences
  92. EO 11889November 25, 1975Amending Executive Order No. 11832 of January 9, 1975, to Extend the Existence of the National Commission On the Observance of International Women's Year, 1975
  93. EO 11890December 10, 1975Amending Executive Order No. 10422, as Amended, Prescribing Procedures for Making Available to the Secretary General of the United Nations Certain Information Concerning United States Citizens Employed or Being Considered for Employment on the Secretariat of the United Nations
  94. EO 11891December 15, 1975Providing for the Closing of Government Departments and Agencies on Friday, December 26, 1975
  95. EO 11892December 31, 1975Amending Executive Order No. 11746 Relating to Federal Regional Councils
  96. EO 11893December 31, 1975Transferring Certain Functions From the General Services Administration to the Office of Management and Budget
  97. EO 11894January 3, 1976Adding to the Membership of the East-West Foreign Trade Board
  98. EO 11895January 6, 1976Delegating Authority of the President to Designate Individuals Appointed by the President to Receive Training
  99. EO 11896January 13, 1976Establishing the United States Sinai Support Mission
  100. EO 11897January 13, 1976Amending Executive Order No. 11157 as It Relates to Special Pay While on Sea Duty or Duty at Certain Places
  101. EO 11898January 14, 1976Amending Executive Order No. 11861, as Amended, Placing Certain Positions in Levels IV and V of the Executive Schedule
  102. EO 11899January 22, 1976Providing for the Protection of Certain Civil Service Employment Rights of Federal Personnel Who Leave Federal Employment to be Employed by Tribal Organizations Pursuant to the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act
  103. EO 11900January 22, 1976Inspection of Income, Estate and Gift Tax Returns by the Committee on Government Operations, House of Representatives
  104. EO 11901January 30, 1976Amending Executive Order No. 11491, as Amended by Executive Orders 11616, 11636, and 11838, Relating to Labor-Management Relations in the Federal Service
  105. EO 11902February 2, 1976Procedures for an Export Licensing Policy as to Nuclear Materials and Equipment
  106. EO 11903February 2, 1976Membership of the Economic Policy Board
  107. EO 11904February 6, 1976Establishing the Defense Superior Service Medal
  108. EO 11905February 18, 1976United States Foreign Intelligence Activities
  109. EO 11906February 26, 1976Amending the Generalized System of Preferences
  110. EO 11907March 1, 1976Relating to the Administration of the Export Administration Act of 1969
  111. EO 11908March 18, 1976Amending Executive Order No. 11861 as Amended, Placing Certain Positions in Levels IV and V of the Executive Schedule
  112. EO 11909March 31, 1976Exemption of Walter C. Sauer From Mandatory Retirement
  113. EO 11910April 13, 1976Delegating-Legal Services Functions Pursuant to the Disaster Relief Act of 1974
  114. EO 11911April 13, 1976Preservation of Endangered Species
  115. EO 11912April 13, 1976Delegation of Authorities Relating to Energy Policy and ConservationPartially revoked
  116. EO 11913April 26, 1976Collection of Information for Import Relief and Adjustment Assistance
  117. EO 11914April 28, 1976Nondiscrimination With Respect to the Handicapped in Federally Assisted Programs
  118. EO 11915May 10, 1976Abolishing the Energy Research and Development Advisory Council
  119. EO 11916May 28, 1976Amending Executive Order No. 11649, Regulations Governing the Seals of the President and the Vice President of the United States
  120. EO 11917May 28, 1976Amending Executive Order No. 11643 of February 8, 1972, Relating to Environmental Safeguards on Activities for Animal Damage Control on Federal Lands
  121. EO 11918June 1, 1976Compensation for Damages Involving Nuclear Reactors of United States Warships
  122. EO 11919June 9, 1976Delegating Authority of the President to Concur in Designations of Commissioners, United States Parole Commission
  123. EO 11920June 10, 1976Establishing Executive Branch Procedures Solely for the Purpose of Facilitating Presidential Review of Decisions Submitted to the President by the Civil Aeronautics Board
  124. EO 11921June 11, 1976Adjusting Emergency Preparedness Assignments to Organizational and Functional Changes in Federal Departments and Agencies
  125. EO 11922June 16, 1976Amending Executive Order No. 11077 of January 22, 1963, Entitled "Administration of the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1962"
  126. EO 11923June 17, 1976The Honorable Francis E. Meloy, Jr. and Robert O. Waring
  127. EO 11924June 29, 1976Exemption of Arthur S. Flemming From Mandatory Retirement
  128. EO 11925June 29, 1976Promotion of Navy and Marine Corps Officers From Below the Appropriate Promotion Zone
  129. EO 11926July 19, 1976The Vice Presidential Service BadgeAmended
  130. EO 11927July 22, 1976Amending Executive Order No. 11861, as Amended, Placing Certain Positions in Levels IV and V of the Executive Schedule
  131. EO 11928July 26, 1976Exemption of Harold Council From Mandatory Retirement
  132. EO 11929July 26, 1976Incentive Pay for Enlisted Members of the Uniformed Services Who Are Involuntarily Removed From Aerial Flight Duties
  133. EO 11930July 30, 1976Performance by the Federal Energy Office of Energy Functions of the Federal Energy Administration
  134. EO 11931August 3, 1976Extending Diplomatic Privileges and Immunities to Permanent Observers to the Organization of American States and to Members of Their Diplomatic Staffs
  135. EO 11932August 4, 1976Classification of Certain Information and Material Obtained From Advisory Bodies Created to Implement the International Energy Program
  136. EO 11933August 25, 1976Termination of the Federal Energy Office
  137. EO 11934August 30, 1976Amending the Generalized System of Preferences
  138. EO 11935September 2, 1976Citizenship Requirements for Federal Employment
  139. EO 11936September 8, 1976The President's Commission on Olympic Sports
  140. EO 11937September 10, 1976Relating to Appointments to the Quetico-Superior Committee
  141. EO 11938September 29, 1976Relating to Adjustment of Cost of Living Allowances and Post Differentials
  142. EO 11939September 30, 1976Basic Allowances for Quarters
  143. EO 11940September 30, 1976Continuing the Regulation of Exports
  144. EO 11941October 1, 1976Adjustments of Certain Rates of Pay and Allowances
  145. EO 11942October 22, 1976Exemption of Ashton C. Barrett From Mandatory Retirement
  146. EO 11943October 25, 1976Amendment of Adjustments of Certain Rates of Pay and Allowances
  147. EO 11944October 25, 1976Authorizing Delegation of Authority to the Secretary of the Treasury With Respect to the Northern Mariana Islands
  148. EO 11945October 25, 1976Physical Fitness and Sports
  149. EO 11946October 25, 1976White House Fellowships
  150. EO 11947November 8, 1976Reports and Investigations Relating to the Administration of the Trade Agreements Program
  151. EO 11948December 20, 1976Continuance of Certain Federal Advisory Committees
  152. EO 11949December 31, 1976Economic Impact Statements
  153. EO 11950January 6, 1977Conforming the Central Intelligence Agency and Civil Service Retirement and Disability Systems With Respect to Cost of Living Adjustments
  154. EO 11951January 6, 1977Relating to the Arrangement Regarding International Trade in Textiles
  155. EO 11952January 7, 1977Conforming the Foreign Service and Civil Service Retirement and Disability Systems
  156. EO 11953January 7, 1977Assigning Emergency Preparedness Functions to the Energy Research and Development Administration and Nuclear Regulatory Commission
  157. EO 11954January 7, 1977Federal Property Review
  158. EO 11955January 10, 1977Permitting Certain Qualified Employees of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to be Given Career or Career-Conditional Appointment
  159. EO 11956January 13, 1977Relating to Voluntary Agreements
  160. EO 11957January 13, 1977Designation of Certain Officers to Act as Secretary of AgricultureRevoked
  161. EO 11958January 18, 1977Administration of Arms Export ControlsAmended
  162. EO 11959January 18, 1977Administration of Foreign Assistance and Related Functions
  163. EO 11960January 19, 1977Amending the Generalized System of Preferences
  164. EO 11961January 19, 1977Administration of the International Investment Survey Act of 1976
  165. EO 11962January 19, 1977Establishing the President's Advisory Board on International Investment
  166. EO 11963January 19, 1977Delegating Reporting Functions Under the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954, as Amended
  167. EO 11964January 19, 1977Implementation of the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972
  168. EO 11965January 19, 1977Establishing the Humanitarian Service MedalAmended
  169. EO 11966January 19, 1977Designating Certain Public International Organizations Entitled to Enjoy Certain Privileges, Exemptions, and Immunities

Source: Executive Orders Archive, compiled from the American Presidency Project and the Federal Register. Topics are the archive's automated tags; "Revoked" and similar labels come from the Federal Register's records.

Pardons and commutations

A pardon wipes out the punishment for a federal crime; a commutation shortens a sentence but leaves the conviction. Counts are by federal fiscal year (fiscal 1976 ran 15 months). They leave out Nixon's pardon and the roughly 14,000 draft evaders and deserters granted clemency through his Clemency Board.

Granted each year

PardonsCommutations

Source: U.S. Dept. of Justice, clemency statistics, which lists every recipient with the crime and sentence.

Notable grants: tap to see the crime

Richard NixonPardonSeptember 8, 1974

The crime: Any federal crimes he committed or may have committed as president (the Watergate cover-up)

Sentence: Never charged

Why it drew attention: A month after taking office. Ford said the country needed to move on; critics suspected a deal. His approval rating fell about 20 points almost overnight.

Source
Vietnam draft evaders and desertersConditional clemencySeptember 16, 1974

The crime: Evading the draft or deserting the military during the Vietnam War

Sentence: Prison or exile

Why it drew attention: Offered in exchange for up to two years of alternative service. About 22,500 of an eligible 113,000 applied.

Source
Iva Toguri ('Tokyo Rose')PardonJanuary 19, 1977

The crime: Treason for making Japanese propaganda radio broadcasts in World War II (convicted 1949)

Sentence: 10 years; about six served

Why it drew attention: Later evidence showed key witnesses had been pressured to lie; she is the only American convicted of treason to be pardoned.

Source

Controversies and scandals

What happened, what was proven, and how it ended.

Proven convicted, admitted or confirmed by a court or official investigationCharged indicted or impeached (outcome stated)Disputed facts established, whether it was wrong is debatedAlleged reported but never established
Pardoning NixonDisputedSeptember 1974

He pardoned his predecessor for any Watergate crimes before charges were filed.

Outcome: Hugely unpopular at the time and likely cost him the 1976 election; later widely seen as an act of courage (he won the JFK Profile in Courage Award in 2001).

Source
Claims of a pardon dealAlleged1974

Critics alleged Nixon's team offered Ford the presidency in exchange for a pardon.

Outcome: Ford denied it under oath to Congress; no evidence of a deal has been found.

Source
The Mayaguez rescueDisputedMay 1975

Marines stormed a Cambodian island to rescue the crew of a seized U.S. cargo ship; the crew had already been released.

Outcome: 41 U.S. servicemen died, more than the 39 crew members rescued.

Source
Refusing New York City a bailoutDisputedOctober 1975

He threatened to veto federal help for a nearly bankrupt New York City.

Outcome: A newspaper headline, 'Ford to City: Drop Dead', stuck to him; he later agreed to federal loans.

Source

In their own words

Widely quoted remarks, with the context they were said in.

My fellow Americans, our long national nightmare is over.

August 9, 1974 · On taking the oath of office after Nixon resigned. Source

There was no deal, period, under no circumstances.

October 17, 1974 · Testimony to a House subcommittee about the Nixon pardon. Source

There is no Soviet domination of Eastern Europe, and there never will be under a Ford administration.

October 6, 1976 · Presidential debate; widely seen as a costly gaffe. Source
How this page is made. Every president gets the same sections and the same checklist. A controversy is listed if it led to an investigation by Congress, an inspector general, a special or independent counsel or a court, or was a sustained national story covered across the political spectrum. Labels follow the strongest official finding, not media coverage. Debt figures come from the U.S. Treasury; deficits and GDP from the White House budget office and the Commerce Department; unemployment from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (before 1948, yearly estimates by Stanley Lebergott via NBER and the Census Bureau's Historical Statistics); prices from MeasuringWorth; executive orders from the Federal Register and National Archives; clemency from the Justice Department.