United States v Nixon is a 1974 decision of the United States Supreme Court that limited the scope of presidential executive privilege. During the Watergate investigation a special prosecutor subpoenaed audio recordings of conversations in the Oval Office, and President Richard Nixon claimed an absolute and unreviewable privilege to withhold them. The Court held unanimously that while executive privilege is a legitimate constitutional principle protecting confidential presidential communications, it is not absolute, and it must yield to a demonstrated, specific need for evidence in a pending criminal trial, ordering Nixon to turn over the tapes. The ruling led directly to Nixons resignation and remains the leading authority that the President is not above compulsory legal process.
Facts
Decision Year Decision Date HoldingUnited States v. Nixon, 418 U.S. 683 (1974), is a landmark decision of the Supreme Court of the United States in which the Court unanimously ordered President Richard Nixon to deliver tape recordings and other subpoenaed materials related to the Watergate scandal to a federal district court. 2 Current StatusRemains a crucial precedent limiting the power of a U.S. president to claim executive privilege. 2 Case Status
Case Status (category) Connections
Authored By
Source United States v Nixon (Wikipedia)
Decided By
Established
United States v. Nixon (1974) recognized the privilege while holding it yields to a demonstrated, specific need for evidence in a criminal proceeding.
In Legal System
In the Other Atlases
Found In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Source United States v Nixon (Wikipedia)Lead sentence 2tier 2Quote, Lead sentence 2
Nixon, 418 U.S. 683 (1974), is a landmark decision of the Supreme Court of the United States in which the Court unanimously ordered President Richard Nixon to deliver tape recordings and other subpoenaed materials related to the Watergate scandal to a federal district court.
Sources
1. Wikidata: United States v Nixon
Source: considered a crucial precedent limiting executive privilege, still followedView the Source 2. United States v Nixon (Wikipedia)
WikipediaWikipedia lead paragraph, decided-date clause
Decided on July 24, 1974, the ruling was important to the late stages of the Watergate scandal, amidst an ongoing process to impeach Richard Nixon.
Wikipedia lead paragraph, decided-date clause (year)
Decided on July 24, 1974, the ruling was important to the late stages of the Watergate scandal, amidst an ongoing process to impeach Richard Nixon.
Wikipedia lead paragraph, first sentence
United States v. Nixon, 418 U.S. 683 (1974), is a landmark decision of the Supreme Court of the United States in which the Court unanimously ordered President Richard Nixon to deliver tape recordings and other subpoenaed materials related to the Watergate scandal to a federal district court.
Lead section, first paragraph, last sentence
United States v. Nixon is considered a crucial precedent limiting the power of any U.S. president to claim executive privilege.
Authored By: Warren E. Burger, Wikipedia lead paragraph
Chief Justice Warren E. Burger wrote the opinion for a unanimous court, joined by Justices William O. Douglas, William J. Brennan, Potter S
In Group: Executive Power, Federalism and Limits on Government Cases, Introduction, sentences 1-3
United States v. Nixon, 418 U.S. 683 (1974), is a landmark decision of the Supreme Court of the United States in which the Court unanimously ordered President Richard Nixon to deliver tape recordings and other subpoenaed materials related to the Watergate scandal to a federal district court.
View the Source Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.