Gerald Ford Color Portrait

Portrait photograph of Gerald Ford.

President Gerald Ford Jr. was an American politician who became the 38th President of the United States beginning in 1974. Prior to his term in office, Ford served for twenty-five years as the U.S. Representative from Michigan's 5th Congressional district. In October 1973, Vice President Spiro Agnew resigned from office due to allegations of bribery and income tax evasion. Upon his resignation, President Richard Nixon nominated Ford to take his place. and became the country's 40th vice president. Eight months later, following the investigations into President Nixon's involvement in the Watergate scandal. Nixon resigned from office on August 8, 1974. A day later, Ford was officially sworn in as the 38th president of the United States. President Ford continued to serve as president until 1976, when he lost to Jimmy Carter for re-election.