Meaning: The quote "When the President does it, that means that it's not illegal" is attributed to former President Richard Nixon. This statement was made during an interview with journalist David Frost in 1977, three years after Nixon resigned from the presidency in the wake of the Watergate scandal. The quote reflects Nixon's controversial belief in executive privilege and the extent of presidential power, especially in matters of national security and foreign affairs.

Nixon's statement is emblematic of the notion of the "imperial presidency," a term used to describe a presidency with an overreach of executive power and a lack of accountability to the other branches of government. This concept gained prominence during Nixon's administration and has been the subject of scholarly and public debate since then. The quote also encapsulates the tension between the rule of law and the authority of the executive branch, a topic that remains relevant in contemporary political discourse.

The context in which Nixon made this statement is crucial to understanding its significance. The Watergate scandal, which involved the attempted cover-up of illegal activities by members of the Nixon administration, including the burglary of the Democratic National Committee headquarters, led to a constitutional crisis and ultimately to Nixon's resignation. The scandal eroded public trust in the presidency and raised fundamental questions about the limits of executive power.

Nixon's assertion that presidential actions are inherently legal due to the president's authority challenges the principle of the rule of law, which holds that no one, not even the president, is above the law. This idea is enshrined in the U.S. Constitution and is fundamental to the functioning of a democratic society. Nixon's statement reflects a perspective that has been criticized for its potential to undermine the system of checks and balances and to concentrate too much power in the hands of the executive.

In the aftermath of the Watergate scandal, the U.S. government implemented reforms aimed at increasing transparency and accountability in the executive branch. These reforms included the passage of the Ethics in Government Act and the establishment of the Office of Government Ethics. Additionally, the Supreme Court's decision in United States v. Nixon, which ordered the president to turn over recordings of conversations related to the Watergate investigation, affirmed the principle that the president is not immune from legal scrutiny.

Despite these efforts to address the abuses of executive power exposed by the Watergate scandal, the tension between presidential authority and the rule of law has persisted in American politics. Subsequent presidents have grappled with questions of executive privilege, national security, and the limits of their authority. The quote attributed to Nixon continues to serve as a touchstone for discussions about the proper scope of presidential power and the necessity of accountability in a democratic society.

In conclusion, the quote "When the President does it, that means that it's not illegal" by Richard Nixon encapsulates a contentious view of executive power and its relationship to the rule of law. The statement, made in the aftermath of the Watergate scandal, reflects Nixon's belief in the expansive authority of the presidency. It has sparked debates about the limits of presidential power and the need for accountability in government. As a symbol of the challenges posed by the imperial presidency, this quote remains a significant and thought-provoking part of American political history.