Richard Nixon and the Notion of Presidential Power         "Actions which otherwise would be unconstitutional, could become lawful if undertaken for the purpose of preserving the Constitution and the Nation." The idea that certain actions are not illegal if used to preserve the best interests of a nation has drawn sharp criticism from the time of Lincoln through today. Presidents of the United States do take a solemn oath in which they promise to " . . . preserve, protect, …showed first 75 words of 1680 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1680 total…have never been suspected of violating the law, whom he believes to be a threat to national security is a violation of our nation's trust in democracy. Their 'questionable' practices cannot be compared to the deadly threat of the Civil War and his means of response cannot be compared to that of Lincoln. His actions are, in essence, a violation of his solemn oath to faithfully execute the office of President of the United States.