Spiro T. Agnew
Spiro T. Agnew served as the Vice President of the United States from 1969 until his resignation in 1973. He was known for his outspoken support of the "silent majority," a term he used to refer to Americans who he believed supported U.S. policies during the Vietnam War but felt marginalized in public discourse. Agnew was critical of antiwar protests and the media's coverage of dissent, targeting students and intellectuals who challenged the government’s decisions. He claimed that a small, vocal minority was undermining public confidence in officials and policies, suggesting that critics were part of an "Eastern establishment" centered in Washington, D.C., and New York City. His controversial views extended to media regulation, arguing that television networks did not deserve the same First Amendment protections as newspapers due to their significant influence. However, his vice presidency ended in scandal when he was forced to resign amid revelations of tax evasion and bribery during his tenure as governor of Maryland. Agnew's legacy is marked by his divisive rhetoric and the circumstances of his departure from office.
Subject Terms
Spiro T. Agnew
- Born: November 9, 1918
- Birthplace: Baltimore, Maryland
- Died: September 17, 1996
- Place of death: Berlin, Maryland
Identification: Governor of Maryland (1967-1969) and vice president of the United States (1969-1973)
Significance: As vice president during most of Richard M. Nixon’s presidency, Agnew attacked intellectuals and students for their political beliefs and condemned the U.S. press for its criticism of American military policy
A self-professed spokesperson for the great “silent majority” of the American population, Agnew was critical of students and intellectuals who criticized U.S. participation in the Vietnam War as well as the reporters and editors who reported on the antiwar movement of the late 1960’s. As early as October, 1969, he spoke out against “a minority of pushy youngsters and middle-aged malcontents” who were critical of the U.S. military. He broadened his criticism in Des Moines, Iowa, on November 13, 1969, when he claimed to identify a “small band of ’self-appointed analysts,’ who raise doubts in a million minds about the veracity of a public official or the wisdom of a government policy.”
Agnew claimed that the administration’s critics were part of an “Eastern establishment” largely confined to Washington, D.C., and New York City. He suggested that television networks were not entitled to the same First Amendment protection as newspapers because they held a “virtual monopoly” on a whole outlet of communication. The networks claimed that Agnew was proposing suppression and harassment. Frank Stanton, president of the Columbia Broadcasting System, charged that the statements had “ominous” implications for a medium that must have a federal license to operate, and that Agnew’s charges would send a chilling message throughout the mass media. Agnew was forced to resign in disgrace from the vice presidency when it was revealed that he had avoided paying income taxes; he was later found to have taken bribes while governor of Maryland.