United States v. Nixon (1974): List 1

Following the Watergate break-in scandal (1972-1974), a subpoena was issued for tapes and papers related to meetings held by Richard Nixon in the Oval Office. The president claimed "executive privilege" to withhold the evidence, but the Supreme Court rejected his immunity claiming that no person is beyond the law. This decision reinforced the impeachment process and led to Nixon's resignation. The unanimous opinion was written by Justice Warren Burger. Read the full text here.

The vocabulary on this list is from paragraphs 1-6 of the opinion.
12 words 8 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. quash
    declare invalid
    This litigation presents for review the denial of a motion, filed in the District Court on behalf of the President of the United States, in the case of United States v. Mitchell (D.C.Crim. No. 7110), to quash a third-party subpoena duces tecum issued by the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, pursuant to Fed.Rule Crim.Proc. 17(c).
  2. subpoena
    a writ issued to compel the attendance of a witness
    This litigation presents for review the denial of a motion, filed in the District Court on behalf of the President of the United States, in the case of United States v. Mitchell (D.C.Crim. No. 7110), to quash a third-party subpoena duces tecum issued by the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, pursuant to Fed.Rule Crim.Proc. 17(c).
  3. subpoena duces tecum
    a writ issued by a court at the request of one of the parties to a suit
    This litigation presents for review the denial of a motion, filed in the District Court on behalf of the President of the United States, in the case of United States v. Mitchell (D.C.Crim. No. 7110), to quash a third-party subpoena duces tecum issued by the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, pursuant to Fed.Rule Crim.Proc. 17(c).
  4. pursuant
    in conformance to or agreement with
    This litigation presents for review the denial of a motion, filed in the District Court on behalf of the President of the United States, in the case of United States v. Mitchell (D.C.Crim. No. 7110), to quash a third-party subpoena...issued by the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, pursuant to Fed.Rule Crim.Proc. 17(c).
  5. conspiracy
    a plot to carry out some harmful or illegal act
    On March 1, 1974, a grand jury of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia returned an indictment charging seven named individuals with various offenses, including conspiracy to defraud the United States and to obstruct justice. Although he was not designated as such in the indictment, the grand jury named the President, among others, as an unindicted coconspirator.
  6. contention
    a point asserted as part of an argument
    The District Court rejected jurisdictional challenges based on a contention that the dispute was nonjusticiable because it was between the Special Prosecutor and the Chief Executive and hence "intra-executive" in character; it also rejected the contention that the Judiciary was without authority to review an assertion of executive privilege by the President.
  7. arbiter
    someone chosen to judge and decide a disputed issue
    The District Court held that the judiciary, not the President, was the final arbiter of a claim of executive privilege.
  8. presumptive
    having a reasonable basis for belief or acceptance
    The court concluded that, under the circumstances of this case, the presumptive privilege was overcome by the Special Prosecutor's prima facie "demonstration of need sufficiently compelling to warrant judicial examination in chambers...."
  9. privilege
    a right reserved exclusively by a person or group
    The court concluded that, under the circumstances of this case, the presumptive privilege was overcome by the Special Prosecutor's prima facie "demonstration of need sufficiently compelling to warrant judicial examination in chambers...."
  10. prima facie
    as it seems at first sight
    The court concluded that, under the circumstances of this case, the presumptive privilege was overcome by the Special Prosecutor's prima facie "demonstration of need sufficiently compelling to warrant judicial examination in chambers...."
  11. mandamus
    a court order requiring an official to perform a function
    On the same day, the President also filed a petition for writ of mandamus in the Court of Appeals seeking review of the District Court order.
  12. writ of certiorari
    a legal document requesting a higher court to review a case
    Later on May 24, the Special Prosecutor also filed, in this Court, a petition for a writ of certiorari before judgment. On May 31, the petition was granted with an expedited briefing schedule...
Created on Wed Jun 04 16:23:25 EDT 2025 (updated Wed Jun 04 18:58:21 EDT 2025)

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