United States v Nixon

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.