Egil "Bud" Krogh Jr. (August 3, 1939 – January 18, 2020) was an American attorney and a Republican government official. He was born in Chicago and raised in Seattle. Krogh served in the administration of President Richard Nixon, including a short tenure as a United States Under Secretary of Transportation in 1973. He is best known for his role in the covert activities tied to the broader Watergate era and for subsequent legal consequences.
Early life and legal career
Krogh trained and practiced as a lawyer before entering federal service. He rose through legal and executive roles within Republican circles and became a trusted aide in the White House. His legal background made him a natural choice to handle sensitive, and ultimately unlawful, intelligence tasks ordered by senior officials during a period of intense political pressure.
Role in covert operations and legal fallout
While serving in the Nixon White House, Krogh helped create and oversee a small unit charged with carrying out investigations and covert operations. He authorized break‑ins and other surreptitious activities intended to obtain damaging information on perceived political opponents—actions that were later revealed during the unfolding of the Watergate scandal. Krogh ultimately pleaded guilty to conspiracy in connection with those illegal break‑ins, cooperated with investigators, and accepted responsibility for his part in the misconduct.
Aftermath and public reflection
Following prosecution, Krogh served a term of incarceration and later returned to private life. In subsequent decades he spoke and wrote about the mistakes he made, focusing on legal ethics, personal responsibility and the corrosive effects of political secrecy. He participated in discussions and teaching about professional conduct for lawyers and public servants, framing his experience as a cautionary example.
Notable facts
- Party affiliation: Republican.
- Held an executive post at the Department of Transportation: Under Secretary of Transportation.
- Associated with covert operations that became part of the Watergate-era investigations.
- Later became an advocate for stronger legal and ethical norms among attorneys.
Krogh died on January 18, 2020 in a hospital in Washington, D.C. from heart failure at the age of 80. His life is often cited in discussions of how lawful authority and ethical judgment can come into conflict in high‑pressure political environments, and his later efforts to explain and atone for his decisions are part of his public legacy.