Watergate FBI File: What's Actually in the Declassified Records

Early on June 17, 1972, five men were arrested inside the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate. Because the break-in involved federal crimes, the FBI opened an investigation, which the Bureau titled WATERGATE. Agents traced money and connections from the burglars to President Nixon's re-election committee and White House staff. The investigation unfolded under pressure: White House officials tried to use the CIA to slow the FBI down, and acting FBI Director L. Patrick Gray resigned in 1973 after it emerged he had destroyed documents connected to the case. Meanwhile, FBI Associate Director Mark Felt was secretly guiding Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein — a role he publicly confirmed in 2005.

• ▸FBI summary reports describing the scope and findings of the Watergate investigation
• ▸Investigative material on the burglars, their funding, and their links to the Committee to Re-elect the President
• ▸Records of interviews and evidence gathered as the case expanded toward White House staff
• ▸Material reflecting the pressures on the Bureau during the investigation

• ✗"Watergate was uncovered only by journalists." The FBI ran the criminal investigation; reporting by the Washington Post was a parallel effort — and partly fed by an FBI official.
• ✗"Deep Throat was a White House insider." Deep Throat was Mark Felt, the FBI's associate director, as he confirmed in 2005.
• ✗"Nixon was convicted." Nixon resigned in August 1974 and was pardoned by President Ford that September; he was never charged.
• ✗"Watergate was just the burglary." The scandal centered on the cover-up, including efforts to obstruct the FBI's investigation.

1. 1972
   June 17: five men are arrested inside the DNC offices at the Watergate; the FBI opens its investigation.
2. 1972
   June 23: Nixon approves a plan to have the CIA ask the FBI to limit the investigation — later revealed on the "smoking gun" tape.
3. 1973
   April: acting FBI Director L. Patrick Gray resigns after revelations that he destroyed case documents.
4. 1974
   August 9: Nixon resigns. September 8: President Ford pardons him.
5. 2005
   Former FBI Associate Director Mark Felt confirms he was Deep Throat.

Did the FBI investigate Watergate?

Yes. The FBI conducted the federal criminal investigation into the 1972 break-in and the events that followed.

Was Deep Throat an FBI agent?

Yes. Deep Throat was Mark Felt, the FBI's associate director at the time, who confirmed his role in 2005.

Why did the acting FBI director resign over Watergate?

L. Patrick Gray resigned in 1973 after it became known that he had destroyed documents connected to the case.

Where can I read the FBI's Watergate file?

The original records are available through the FBI Vault source linked on this page.

Always consult the primary source. Public records may include redactions, allegations, and unverified informant claims.

Note: FBI Vault document previews sometimes fail to load. If the preview is stuck, use the “Download PDF” button on the FBI page.