In the context of the Watergate scandal, the term hatchet man was used to refer to a trusted and particularly orthodox subordinate tasked by his employer with destroying a political opponent by any means necessary. Charles Colson was known as a hatchet man for President Richard Nixon, as was H.R. Haldeman, who proudly described himself as "Richard Nixon's 'son of a bitch'". This use of the term has since become commonplace for anyone who is tasked with conducting distasteful, illegal, or unfair "dirty work" to protect the reputation or power of their employer.[1]

Usage

References

  1. 1 2 "Humbled Hatchet Man". Time magazine. February 2, 1976. Archived from the original on November 30, 2009. Retrieved 2009-02-22. Of all the men around former President Richard Nixon, probably none was more hated than Chuck Colson, top hatchet man and tireless inventor of dirty tricks.
  2. "Not another 'hatchet man' at USDA". Delta Farm Press. 2009. Archived from the original on 2012-07-08. Retrieved 2009-02-22.
  3. "Social media abuzz over Piers Morgan vs. Alex Jones - CNN.com". CNN. 2013-01-09.
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