Lawbreaker in Chief

AT his confirmation hearings last week, Michael B. Mukasey, President Bush’s nominee for attorney general, was asked whether the president is required to obey federal statutes. Judge Mukasey replied, "That would have to depend on whether what goes outside the statute nonetheless lies within the authority of the president to defend the country."

Nixon: Well, when the president does it that means that it is not illegal.
Frost: By definition.
Nixon: Exactly.