“The 10 Worst Presidents to Ever Hold Office in the U.S.”

3. Herbert Hoover (1929–1933)

Herbert Hoover served as president during one of the darkest periods in American economic history: the onset of the Great Depression.

When the stock market crashed in 1929 and unemployment soared, Hoover’s response was widely viewed as inadequate. He believed in limited federal intervention, emphasizing voluntary cooperation and local relief over direct federal aid.

Many historians argue his policies failed to stem the economic freefall, exacerbating suffering and contributing to widespread hardship.

The Smoot‑Hawley Tariff Act of 1930, which raised tariffs on imported goods, is often criticized for worsening global trade and deepening the downturn. Hoover’s unpopularity helped usher in the New Deal era under Franklin D. Roosevelt.

4. Richard Nixon (1969–1974)

Richard Nixon’s presidency is a study in contrast. Early in his term, he oversaw significant diplomatic achievements, including opening relations with China and negotiating arms control agreements with the Soviet Union.

However, his legacy is overwhelmingly overshadowed by the Watergate scandal, a political crisis that revealed multiple abuses of power within his administration.

After the break‑in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters and the subsequent cover‑up efforts, Nixon became the first U.S. president to resign from office rather than face almost certain impeachment.

Watergate’s impact was so profound that it reshaped public trust in government and led to reforms like the Presidential Records Act and ethics laws aimed at increasing executive accountability.

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