THE WATERGATE SCANDAL JULY 24 1974 U.S. VS. NIXON THE WATERGATE SCANDAL JULY 24 1974

Richard Nixon Born January 9th, 1913 Died April 22nd, 1994 Was the 37th president of the United States Served two terms, starting in 1974 and ending during his second due to resignation.

The Watergate The Watergate was a headquarters for the democratic party. Nixon had a special group of people known to him as the “Plumbers.” Their job was to put eavesdropping devices in certain rooms so that they could listen in on conversations.

People Involved Richard Nixon James W. Mcord Bernard Baker Virgilio Gonzalez Eugino Martinez Frank Sturgis

How They Got Caught One of the security guards at the Watergate noticed that a door to one of the meeting rooms had been completely removed because the “Plumbers” had failed to pick the lock. The security guard called for back up and caught the plumbers talking into a radio to an unknown person. They were all wearing surgical gloves and had eavesdropping equipment and other electronic devices on their person.

Executive Privilege When Richard Nixon was tried for the Watergate Scandal, he tried to use executive privilege to keep from giving the courts tapes and audio recordings. EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE MEANS THAT THE PRESIDENT CAN REFUSE TO RELEASE INFORMATION THAT WOULD THREATEN NATIONAL SECURITY.

Arguments for the United States The Presidents power to claim executive privilege may not be invoked to deny the courts access to evidence needed in a criminal proceeding. This dispute can be properly heard in the federal courts.

Arguments for Nixon The constitutional scheme of separation of powers grants the president the privilege of withholding information from the other branches of government. This power is absolute and it is vital where high-level communications are involved.

COURT WAS TO DECIDE WHETHER THE PRESIDENT COULD USE EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE TO WITH-HOLD TAPES AND DOCUMENTS INVLOVING THE WATERGATE.

IN 1974, THE SUPREME COURT RULED THAT THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES COULD NOT USE EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE TO HOLD BACK EVIDENCE NEEDED IN A CRIMINAL TRIAL