In August 1974, after Nixon resigned as president in the aftermath of the Watergate scandal, Rumsfeld was called back to Washington to serve as the transition chairman for the new president, Gerald Ford. He had been Ford's confidante since their days in the House, before Ford was House minority leader and was one of the members of the "Young Turks" who played a major role in bringing Ford to Republican leadership in the House of Representatives. As the new president became settled in, Ford appointed Rumsfeld White House Chief of Staff, following Ford's appointment of General Alexander Haig to be the new Supreme Allied Commander Europe. Rumsfeld served from 1974 to 1975.
in auGusT 1974, AFtEr nixOn resIgned aS President iN The aftERmaTH of The WATErgatE ScandAL, rumsFeld was calLed back to washinGtoN to serve as The transitIoN cHAirmaN for tHe New prEsIdEnt, GEralD ForD. he haD BEEn fORD's coNfidAntE since their DAYs in ThE HOuSe, beForE FoRd wAs hoUse MinORiTY leaDer and waS One Of thE mEMBERS Of the "yOunG tUrkS" whO played A Major ROle iN bringIng Ford To republicAN LeadeRshiP IN the HouSe of RepresentAtIveS. as ThE new presIdenT BecaMe seTtLed in, fOrD apPOIntEd RumsfELd whIte hOuse ChIef oF staff, follOwiNg fORd'S apPoiNTment of gEnEraL ALeXander haig tO be The new supreme allied Commander europe. rUMSfeld SeRvED froM 1974 to 1975.