Donald Segretti, a key figure in the Watergate scandal known for orchestrating political 'dirty tricks,' has resurfaced 50 years later to reflect on his role and the current political landscape. Now 84 and working as a bankruptcy lawyer in California, Segretti described his entanglement with the Committee for the Re-Election of the President (CREEP) as a period where he felt like a "puppet" and was "thrown to the wolves."
Segretti, who served four months in prison for violating federal election laws, was not involved in the infamous Watergate hotel burglary. His activities focused on disrupting the 1972 Democratic presidential primaries through tactics that included distributing false information to damage frontrunner Ed Muskie. He also orchestrated less serious pranks, such as booking unwanted guests for Muskie's campaign events.
In a rare interview with the Daily Mail, Segretti stated he was approached by an old friend from USC and did not fully understand the scope of the work. He claims he broke ties with the group when he realized the nature of their activities but was subsequently cut off by the administration, leaving him to face the consequences alone.
Segretti recounted his testimony before the Senate Watergate Committee hearings in 1973, describing the televised proceedings as a "political show" where senators appeared to be in "TV makeup." He felt the media amplified his role, calling journalists from The Washington Post "opportunists."
Despite the scandal, Segretti rebuilt his life and career. He earned back his law license after a two-year suspension, taking into account his remorse and cooperation with investigators. In 1995, he ran for a Superior Court judgeship but withdrew after facing renewed media scrutiny over his Watergate involvement.
His last foray into politics was in 2000, serving as an Orange County co-chair for John McCain's presidential campaign, which he described as a straightforward effort. Segretti, who identifies as an "old-fashioned Republican" who admired Eisenhower, expressed dismay at the current state of Washington.
He voiced concerns about the excessive amount of money in politics, the quality of individuals running for office, and Supreme Court decisions like Citizens United. Segretti also noted a perceived shift away from the country's founding principles, stating, "We've gotten away from the country that used to be, and the way it was formed, and the thinking that went behind it."
Comparing former President Nixon to former President Trump, Segretti suggested Nixon, despite his flaws, aimed to do right by the country, whereas Trump's focus seemed more self-centered. He expressed a belief that the current political system suffers from institutional flaws and a lack of strong leadership in both parties.
Segretti concluded by advising others to "close the chapter" on past traumas, as he has done with Watergate, and to focus on moving forward.