Remember When: No One Was Above the Law

On this day in 1974, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously in United States v. Nixon that President Richard Nixon had to turn over secret Oval Office recordings to a federal court. The decision would lead directly to his resignation just 16 days later.

The ruling was historic — not just for its legal consequences, but for its clear and forceful message: Not even the President of the United States is above the law.

At the heart of the case was the question of executive privilege — the idea that a president can withhold certain information to preserve national security or candid internal discussions. But the Court held firm: in the face of a criminal investigation, that privilege has limits. The tapes weren’t Nixon’s private property — they were evidence.

The decision reaffirmed the power of checks and balances and showed the country that the law applies to everyone, regardless of status or office. In a moment of deep national crisis, the judicial branch did its job — with clarity, courage, and consensus.

Today, that legacy feels more urgent than ever.
We are witnessing a Supreme Court that has struck down long-held constitutional protections and a political climate in which accountability seems elusive. But United States v. Nixon reminds us that institutions can serve justice — and the people can demand it.

Let’s remember what’s possible when the rule of law is upheld — and let’s keep fighting for the kind of democracy where no one is above it.

Stay engaged. Stay hopeful. Stay loud.