Opinion of the Court
The Court of Appeals Should Rule on the Energy Task Force Meetings
It is well established that "a President’s communications and activities encompass a vastly wider range of sensitive material than would be true of any `ordinary individual.’" United States v. Nixon (1974). Chief Justice Marshall, sitting as a trial judge, recognized the unique position of the Executive Branch when he stated that "[i]n no case would a court be required to proceed against the President as against an ordinary individual." United States v. Burr (CC Va. 1807). As Nixon explained, these principles do not mean that the "President is above the law." Rather, they simply acknowledge that the…