Final answer:
Richard Nixon's assertion of executive privilege during the Watergate scandal ultimately led to the Supreme Court ruling that it is not absolute, and it cannot be used to cover up wrongdoing. This resulted in a significant impact on the balance of power between the branches of government in the U.S.
Step-by-step explanation:
Nixon's View of Executive Privilege:
President Richard Nixon's invocation of executive privilege during the Watergate scandal is a significant event in American history. This privilege, based on the premise that the president has the right to withhold information in the public interest to ensure the effective functioning of the executive branch, is not enumerated in the Constitution but has been acknowledged since George Washington's presidency. In the case of United States v. Nixon, the Supreme Court ruled that while executive privilege is legitimate, it is not absolute and does not shield wrongdoing. This led to Nixon's resignation, under the pressure of the Watergate scandal, after his refusal to hand over tapes recorded in the Oval Office. The tapes were believed to contain evidence regarding his administration's involvement in the break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate office complex.
Nixon's use of executive privilege raised questions about the balance of power between the branches of government and the extent to which the president can claim this privilege to resist inquiries from Congress or the courts. The legacy of Nixon’s assertion of this privilege continues to influence the presidency and the interpretation of the separation of powers in the United States.