Is the President Above the Law? | United States v. Nixon

In episode 64 of Supreme Court Briefs, the President of the United States, Richard Nixon, doesn't want to release some secret recordings that might implicate him in the Watergate scandal.

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Washington, D.C.
June 17, 1972
Five men break into the Democratic National Committee headquarters in the Watergate Office Building. They tried to set up a wiretap and photograph confidential Democratic Party documents. However, the police caught them in the act and arrested them. Little did most know, these men were connected with the Committee for the Re-Election of the President, or CRP, or CREEP (hee hee), the organization directly tied to President Richard Nixon in order to help him get re-elected.

Flash forward to May 1973, and thanks to multiple ongoing investigations, now more and more Americans are thinking the Nixon administration was directly linked to the Watergate break-in.
The U.S. Senate Watergate Committee began public hearings, and the Nixon administration appointed Archibald Cox to lead a separate, independent investigation. Flash forward again to July 1973, and Americans found out that there is a new system in the White House that automatically records everything in the Oval Office and Cabinet Room. In other words, if Nixon was in on the Watergate break-in or even if he just knew about it and was trying to cover it up, there could be evidence of it in the recordings. Cox, as well as the Senate, immediately subpoenaed the White House recordings, or required that they be submitted to court as evidence. However, Nixon refused to release them, citing his “executive privilege” as the president. He even ordered Cox to drop his subpoena, and after Cox refused, Nixon had him fired. Not a good look there, Nixon.

But the investigations only picked up. In what eventually became known as The Watergate Scandal, a total of 69 people were indicted and 48 people convicted for either participating in, aiding in, or covering up information about the Watergate break-in. MANY of these folks were top Nixon administration officials. By early 1974, it seemed pretty clear that President Nixon had at least known about the Watergate break-in and tried to cover it up. However, there was little solid evidence, and Nixon had still refused to give up the recordings.

[iammrbeat]

My book about everything you need to know about the Supreme Court is now available!

[HiramUlyssesSimpsonGrant]

You totally left out the fact that famous long distance runner and Shrimp restaurant entrepreneur Forrest Gump was the one who called the cops on the guys who broke into the Watergate hotel

[ashleighstratmann]

This is really interesting. Since Nixon avoided impeachment and Ford pardoned him, it never occured to me that there might been other cases on Nixon involving the Watergate Scandal. But it makes sense that the Supreme Court would step in to get those tapes.

[BloxLogics]

nixon’s whole story as a president is always so interesting to me, this was a really good video (as usual lol)

[channelname]

The President is a public official that we elected. I think everything he does should be held under public scrutiny for the duration that he is in office. This will put a lot of pressure on him, but that's what being a world leader entails.

[TangledUpInBlue]

This case regarding executive privilege is especially pertinent in 2024. At least Justice Rehnquist had the decency to recuse himself. Thanks, Mr. Beat.

[moses]

Supreme court briefs is my favorite series and I've been waiting for this one! Thank you Mr Beat!

[jfifthb]

Rehnquist recused himself? if only we had that same level of integrity in the SCOTUS today

[johngoode]

In the UK we have a similar problem with leaders being above the law.... I can't believe its a debate if they should not be above the law! They lead a country, they have more responsibility to that country.

If leaders can break the law without inconvenience then we might as well have autocratic monarchs

[EpicnessYeet]

It is truly captivating how everyday citizens of the USA felt about the scandal of Watergate, and it was truly sad for Nixon to mess up like that to win the election even if most people were gonna already vote for him (as they did in our timeline).

[jonedson]

who here after the Supreme Court watered down this decision

[LOLquendoTV]

Love your supreme court briefs Mr beat, I always watch them when they come out, and appreciate them even if they don't get as many views as your other videos

[ninjawarrior]

*Pick the odd lie out*
"I'm not a crook"
"Read my lips, no new taxes"
"I did not have sexual relations with that woman"
"Nobody told me that this was something against the rules"

[titansfan]

Always excited for new videos, keep up great work Mr. Beat!
I live in Nashville and I’m planning on visiting Shiloh Battlefield this spring/summer. Your videos have really gotten me into history lately.

[letsgo_inc]

Came to this video in light of recent Supreme Court rulings stating that the President enjoys absolute immunity in his acts

[calebprice]

Love these supreme court briefs. I really think you do a great job explaining everything and staying unbiased.

[timbuktuesday]

This is very nice timing. I’ve got a debate project over this case, so it was helpful for me to understand it

[kimjohnson]

I grew up during this time. As a 10 year old, the only thing I associates with Watergate was that the hearings canceled afternoon cartoons (no Cartoon Network). Thank you for the charity almost 50 years later!

[nicholasstafford]

Love SCB Mr Beat, was waiting for this one! You're also the reason I got into American history and politics

[EagleGamer_]

I love this series so much thanks for bringing it back