Question

How is the outcome of this court case similar to the outcome of United States v. Nixon? a) Both cases limited the powers of the executive branch. b) Both cases ruled that the executive may not be convicted of a crime. c) Both cases ruled that the president has limited power over the media. d) Both cases limited the damage that media can do to the office of the president.

Answer 1

Both the court case in question and the United States v. Nixon case likely limited the powers of the executive branch, reinforcing the system of checks and balances and the rule of law. The courts placed constraints on executive power, illustrating that the president cannot limit free press for national security reasons or force journalists to divulge their sources.

Step-by-step explanation:

The outcome of the court case in question, like the outcome of the United States v. Nixon case, is likely most similar to option a): 'Both cases limited the powers of the executive branch.' In United States v. Nixon, the Supreme Court ruled that President Nixon could not use executive privilege as an absolute defense against judicial inquiry. This reinforced the concept that no person, not even the president, is above the law. Similarly, in cases like the Pentagon Papers and Branzburg v. Hayes, the courts placed limits on executive power, showing that the president cannot use national security as an excuse to limit free press or force journalists to reveal sources. Therefore, both of these cases demonstrate limitations on the powers of the executive branch, reaffirming the principles of checks and balances and the rule of law.

Learn more about Limitations on Executive Powers