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A listener note, this episode previously aired in 2022.

Wondry. 2002.

It's February 28, 1973, in 173 in Washington, D.C.

L. Patrick Gray, the acting director of the FBI, makes his way through a Senate office building on Capitol Hill.

He steps inside room 1202, and as he surveys the busy hearing room, Gray smooths his jacket and straightens his tie.

In just a few minutes, Gray is going to sit in front of a panel of United States senators and endure what's likely to be a marathon of questions.

Gray was nominated by President Nixon to be the permanent director of the FBI.

But before he starts the job, he has to receive confirmation from the Senate.

And that means surviving a series of public hearings, which are bound to be grueling

and will almost certainly focus on the issue of Watergate.

It's a story that just won't go away. Months ago, several men were caught breaking into

Democratic headquarters at the Watergate complex. When the FBI learned about the crime,

their agents began a dogged investigation, trying to understand why the burglars had targeted Democrats.

But despite the broad scope of the investigation, the Bureau has still been criticized by lawmakers

and journalists. Some have even suggested that Gray downplayed or ignored evidence that could

damage the president. The smears have gotten ugly. But Gray doesn't think he's done anything wrong. It's true that he pledged his loyalty to the president. The smears have gotten ugly. But Gray doesn't think he's done anything wrong.

It's true that he pledged his loyalty to the president and that he's collaborated with the

president's allies. But that's the nature of the job. Gray serves at the pleasure of the

...