Who said “When the President does it, that means that it is not illegal.”?

Verified

Richard M. Nixon. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceInterview with David Frost (May 19, 1977); printed in The New York Times (May 20, 1977), p. A16; also in "Nixon's Views on Presidential Power: Excerpts from an Interview with David Frost [Archive]", referring to the Huston Plan and views of presidential authority.

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Authors A–Z
“When the President does it, that means that it is not illegal.”
— Richard M. Nixon
VerifiedInterview with David Frost (May 19, 1977); printed in The New York Times (May 20, 1977), p. A16; also in "Nixon's Views on Presidential Power: Excerpts from an Interview with David Frost [Archive]", referring to the Huston Plan and views of presidential authority. · evidencePresident

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Interview with David Frost (May 19, 1977); printed in The New York Times (May 20, 1977), p. A16; also in "Nixon's Views on Presidential Power: Excerpts from an Interview with David Frost [Archive]", referring to the Huston Plan and views of presidential authority..

APA

Nixon, R. M. (n.d.). When the President does it, that means that it is not illegal. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/34301-when-the-president-does-it-that-means-that/

MLA

Nixon, Richard M. “When the President does it, that means that it is not illegal.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/34301-when-the-president-does-it-that-means-that/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Nixon, Richard M. “When the President does it, that means that it is not illegal.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/34301-when-the-president-does-it-that-means-that/.

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