It’s ironic that Ronald Reagan pardoned Deep Throat for authorizing illegal break ins. But the following is priceless:
An ironic coda to Felt’s double life as loyal FBI employee and master leaker came in November 1980, when he sat across a D.C. courtroom from Nixon.
The former president had come to testify at Felt’s illegal break-in trial. Interrupted by shouts of “liar” and “war criminal” from spectators, who were swiftly bundled out of the courtroom, Nixon made clear that he believed that Felt had acted properly in approving the break-ins.
A few days later, Felt received a copy of Nixon’s latest book, “The Real War.” On an inside page, he found the following inscription: “To Mark Felt. With appreciation for his years of service to the nation. Richard Nixon.”