From the very beginning the prospect that Congress might act had underpinned the Vietnamization policy of both Nixon and Laird. Among other factors, this had necessitated the ongoing withdrawal of American troops, in the president’s words “staying one step ahead of the sheriff.” Out of fear of congressional intervention, Nixon carefully announced that another 20,000 soldiers would be leaving by July 1, despite the 12 North Vietnamese divisions advancing in the South and pressure from MACV for more manpower.
