🇺🇸 United States
📜 Civil Law
1974
Landmark Case
Supreme Court
United States v. Nixon
U.S. Supreme Court
Case Details
Case Summary
Addressed the scope of executive privilege and the limits of presidential power during the Watergate scandal. Nixon claimed executive privilege to withhold tape recordings from investigators.
Final Judgment / Ruling
Unanimous 8-0 ruling: executive privilege does not protect materials needed as evidence in criminal investigations; Nixon had to surrender the tapes.
Why This Case Matters
Established that no person, not even the President, is above the law. Led directly to Nixon's resignation.