Final answer:
The case of United States v. Nixon (1974) revolved around the constitutional principle of executive privilege and its limits. It resulted in a Supreme Court ruling that required President Nixon to release the Oval Office tapes related to Watergate, establishing that a president cannot use executive privilege to obstruct justice or hide wrongdoing.
Step-by-step explanation:
United States v. Nixon and Executive Privilege
The case of United States v. Nixon (1974) dealt with the constitutional principle of executive privilege. This legal concept allows the president to withhold information from the public, Congress, and the courts, particularly in matters of national security. The Supreme Court's decision in this case limited the scope of executive privilege, ruling that President Nixon had to release the White House tapes connected to the Watergate scandal. The ruling established that executive privilege could not be used to obstruct justice or cover up wrongdoing. The clash between executive privilege and the need for accountability in the judicial process was a central issue in this landmark case.
Nixon had claimed executive privilege to refuse a subpoena requesting the release of the Oval Office tapes. The tapes were believed to contain evidence that could prove whether Nixon was involved in the Watergate scandal. After a series of dramatic events, including the Saturday Night Massacre, where Nixon ordered his attorney general to fire the special prosecutor, the case eventually reached the Supreme Court. In a unanimous decision, the Court held that the president was not above the law and could not use executive privilege as an absolute defense against judicial demands in criminal prosecutions.
The ruling had a lasting impact on the presidency and American constitutional law, demonstrating the limits of presidential power and reinforcing the principle of checks and balances within the U.S. government.