How we cite our quotes: (Section.Subsection.Paragraph) or (Section.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Following indictment alleging violation of federal statutes by certain staff members of the White House and political supporters of the President, the special prosecutor filed a motion under Fed. l Rule Crim Proc. 17(c) for a subpoena duces tecum for the production before trial of certain tapes and documents relating to precisely identified conversations and meetings between the President and others […]. (Opening.2)
This is probably the most explicit mention of betrayal in U.S. v. Nixon, because the court is just flat out saying that Nixon's aides are accused of violating federal laws.
Quote #2
The action of the special prosecutor within the scope of his express authority seeking specified evidence preliminary determined to be relevant and admissible in the pending criminal case, and the President's assertion of privilege in opposition thereto, present issues of a type which are traditionally justiciable […]." (Opening.7)
This is one of the few quotes from the doc that reminds readers that this is a criminal case.
Quote #3
[…] when a claim of Presidential privilege as to materials subpoenaed for use in a criminal trial is based, as it is here, not on the ground that military or diplomatic secrets are implicated, but merely on the ground of a generalized interest in confidentiality […]." (Opening.10)
The Court points out that President Nixon is not claiming executive privilege to protect secret information that could harm the public, but he's claiming (or abusing) executive privilege to cover up information related to the Watergate investigation.
Quote #4
[…] although he was not designated as such in the indictment, the grand jury named the President, among others, as an unindicted coconspirator. (Opening.16)
The grand jury, as well as much of America, suspected that Nixon was betraying their trust big-time.
Quote #5
The privileges referred to by the Court are designed to protect weighty and legitimate competing interests. Thus, the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution provides that no man "shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself." (IV.C.5)
As Dave Chappell has showed us, guilty people like to plead the fifth.