--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When the President does it, that means…" description: "\"When the President does it, that means that it's not illegal.\" — Richard M. Nixon" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b1d/richard-m-nixon-727_illegal_when-the-president-does-it-that-means-th_2171571.jpg" --- # When the President does it, that means that it's not… ![“When the President does it, that means that it's not illegal.” quote by Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b1d/richard-m-nixon-727_illegal_when-the-president-does-it-that-means-th_2171571.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b1d/richard-m-nixon-727_illegal_when-the-president-does-it-that-means-th_2171571.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b1d/richard-m-nixon-727_illegal_when-the-president-does-it-that-means-th_2171571.jpg) > “When the President does it, that means that it's not illegal.” [Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The statement suggests that when a leader endorses an action, it is perceived as permissible, regardless of legality. **In simple terms:** Authority can redefine legality in public perception. Key Takeaway Question authority’s moral standards. Themes power legality morality Mood skeptical thoughtful Type political philosophical When to use this quote - government policy - corporate governance - media coverage - public protest Key Concepts political science ethics leadership Questions to Reflect On - How do you evaluate legality versus authority? - What mechanisms check abuse of power? A Different Perspective It ignores legal frameworks that constrain even leaders. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Illegal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/illegal/) [Means](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/means/) [Means Illegal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/means-illegal-4652816/) [President](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/president/) [President Does](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/president-does-347024/) [Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trump/) ## Related quotes > [If the President does it, it can't be illegal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-nixon/if-the-president-does-it-it-can-t-be-illegal/) [Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/) > [Abraham Lincoln did not contend that his actions were immune from Congressional correction; on the contrary, he specifically said he was acting beyond the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-lee-miller/abraham-lincoln-did-not-contend-that-his-actions-were-immune-from/) [William Lee Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-lee-miller/) > [I have never been a quitter. To leave office before my term is completed is opposed to every instinct in my body. But as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-nixon/i-have-never-been-a-quitter-to-leave-office-before-my-term-is/) [Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/) > [When you cover the White House, which I've done on and off, it's relatively straightforward - everything the president does is news.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kasie-hunt/when-you-cover-the-white-house-which-i-ve-done-on-and-off-it-s/) [Kasie Hunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kasie-hunt/) > [I decided that I was ready to assume this position when I discovered that the chance to save the country was very meager. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abdel-fattah-el-sisi/i-decided-that-i-was-ready-to-assume-this-position-when-i-discovered/) [Abdel Fattah el-Sisi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abdel-fattah-el-sisi/) > [The president does not have the option of choosing which laws he will follow and which he will ignore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-scalise/the-president-does-not-have-the-option-of-choosing-which-laws-he-will/) [Steve Scalise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-scalise/) > [There's a sense of urgency that the president does not possess, that there is a 9/11 in the making.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/there-s-a-sense-of-urgency-that-the-president-does-not-possess-that/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [Sometimes it's important to watch what the president does rather than what he says.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/sometimes-it-s-important-to-watch-what-the-president-does-rather-than/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [No man should be allowed to be the President who does not understand hogs, or hasn't been around a manure pile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/no-man-should-be-allowed-to-be-the-president-who-does-not-understand/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [The president is the president. And every American, regardless of who you voted for, if you voted for Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, Donald Duck,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-e-sasse/the-president-is-the-president-and-every-american-regardless-of-who/) [Benjamin E. Sasse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-e-sasse/) > [“People complain the president does nothing. I say stop complaining! Think how destructive he’d be if he actually tried to do something.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/people-complain-the-president-does-nothing-i-say-stop-complaining/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [Being president does seem a lot more stressful than being vice president.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-sapolsky/being-president-does-seem-a-lot-more-stressful-than-being-vice/) [Robert Sapolsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-sapolsky/) > [Legacy is what a president does that affects later generations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-beschloss/legacy-is-what-a-president-does-that-affects-later-generations/) [Michael Beschloss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-beschloss/) > [If the president does something dastardly, the impeachment process is available.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-kavanaugh/if-the-president-does-something-dastardly-the-impeachment-process-is/) [Brett Kavanaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-kavanaugh/) > [I don't get into conversations or information about anything that the president does with his personal attorney.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-grisham/i-don-t-get-into-conversations-or-information-about-anything-that-the/) [Stephanie Grisham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-grisham/) ## More by Richard M. Nixon > [I have never been a quitter. To leave office before my term is completed is opposed to every instinct in my body. But as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-nixon/i-have-never-been-a-quitter-to-leave-office-before-my-term-is/) [Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/) > [With those who are willing to join, let us cooperate to reduce the burden of arms, to strengthen the structure of peace, to lift…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-nixon/with-those-who-are-willing-to-join-let-us-cooperate-to-reduce-the/) [Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/) > [I have earned every cent. And in all of my years of public life I have never obstructed justice,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-nixon/i-have-earned-every-cent-and-in-all-of-my-years-of-public-life-i-have/) [Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/) > [Restoring nature to its natural state is a cause beyond party and beyond factions. It has become a common cause of all the people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-nixon/restoring-nature-to-its-natural-state-is-a-cause-beyond-party-and/) [Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/) > [What kind of nation we will be, what kind of world we will live in, whether we shape the future in the image of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-nixon/what-kind-of-nation-we-will-be-what-kind-of-world-we-will-live-in/) [Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/) > [Once you get into this great stream of history you can't get out. You can drown. Or you can be pulled ashore by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-nixon/once-you-get-into-this-great-stream-of-history-you-can-t-get-out-you/) [Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/) > [The ultimate test of a nation's character is not how it responds to adversity in war but how it meets the challenge of peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-nixon/the-ultimate-test-of-a-nation-s-character-is-not-how-it-responds-to/) [Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/) > [History is a pathetic junkyard of broken treaties.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-nixon/history-is-a-pathetic-junkyard-of-broken-treaties/) [Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/) > [I refuse to make a decision that somebody else can make. The first rule of leadership is to save yourself for the big decision.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-nixon/i-refuse-to-make-a-decision-that-somebody-else-can-make-the-first/) [Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/) > [Those who hate you don't win unless you hate them, and then you destroy yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-nixon/those-who-hate-you-don-t-win-unless-you-hate-them-and-then-you/) [Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/) > [I made my mistakes, but in all of my years in public life, I have never profited, never profited from public serviceI have earned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-nixon/i-made-my-mistakes-but-in-all-of-my-years-in-public-life-i-have-never/) [Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/) > [I know you heard what you thought I said, but what I said isn't what I meant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-nixon/i-know-you-heard-what-you-thought-i-said-but-what-i-said-isn-t-what-i/) [Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/) > [I want to be sure...that nothing is done on these veterans. Is that understood?...Is the word out? That they are not to touch em,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-nixon/i-want-to-be-sure-that-nothing-is-done-on-these-veterans-is-that/) [Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/) > [“Nations not possessing great power can indulge in the luxury of criticism of others; those possessing it have the responsibility of decision. Faced with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-nixon/nations-not-possessing-great-power-can-indulge-in-the-luxury-of/) [Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/) > [The peace we seek in the world is not the flimsy peace which is merely an interlude between wars, but a peace which can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-nixon/the-peace-we-seek-in-the-world-is-not-the-flimsy-peace-which-is/) [Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/) [Explore all 388 Richard M. Nixon quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/) ## More Illegal quotes > [It might interest you that just as the U.S. was ramping up its involvement in Vietnam, LBJ launched an illegal invasion of the Dominican…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/junot-diaz/it-might-interest-you-that-just-as-the-u-s-was-ramping-up-its/) [Junot Diaz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/junot-diaz/) > [I don't think marijuana should be illegal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-stewart/i-don-t-think-marijuana-should-be-illegal/) [Jon Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-stewart/) > [ \[Could you show us how Lana Del Rey dances in a club?\] That would be illegal. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lana-del-rey/could-you-show-us-how-lana-del-rey-dances-in-a-club-that-would-be/) [Lana Del Rey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lana-del-rey/) > [Stupid is not illegal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-ramsey/stupid-is-not-illegal/) [Dave Ramsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-ramsey/) > [The Chinese describe themselves as political refugees. Many base that claim on China's strict population laws, which allow them to have only one child.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-koch/the-chinese-describe-themselves-as-political-refugees-many-base-that/) [Ed Koch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-koch/) > [On March 12, 2004, acting attorney general James B. Comey and the Justice Department's top leadership reached the brink of resignation over electronic surveillance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barton-gellman/on-march-12-2004-acting-attorney-general-james-b-comey-and-the/) [Barton Gellman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barton-gellman/) > [Even the Supreme Court, back when it used to makes sense, the Supreme Court has never ruled that a baby born to illegal aliens…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/even-the-supreme-court-back-when-it-used-to-makes-sense-the-supreme/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [I think we have two conflicting traditions in this country. I think it's important for us to recognize that we've got a tradition of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-think-we-have-two-conflicting-traditions-in-this-country-i-think-it/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [ Before the Freedom of Information Act, I used to say at meetings "The illegal we do immediately. The unconstitutional takes a little longer." \[...\]… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-a-kissinger/before-the-freedom-of-information-act-i-used-to-say-at-meetings-the/) [Henry A. Kissinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-a-kissinger/) > [ I mean, you take a look at this, it's one way. \[Mexicans\] get the jobs, they get the factories, they get the cash, and… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/i-mean-you-take-a-look-at-this-it-s-one-way-mexicans-get-the-jobs/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [I am calling on all citizens with access to unreleased records pertaining to illegal, unconstitutional, or immoral government activities to return those records to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-shapiro/i-am-calling-on-all-citizens-with-access-to-unreleased-records/) [Ryan Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-shapiro/) > [Helen Crawfurd and the Women's Peace Crusade, made a march on the City Chambers, distributing an illegal leaflet in front of police and even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willie-gallacher/helen-crawfurd-and-the-women-s-peace-crusade-made-a-march-on-the-city/) [Willie Gallacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willie-gallacher/) > [Pot enables you to think clearly without any fear or any limits. It's a mind-expander, which is part of why it's illegal and why…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roseanne-barr/pot-enables-you-to-think-clearly-without-any-fear-or-any-limits-it-s/) [Roseanne Barr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roseanne-barr/) > [“The W. M. Keck Observatory is the only employer that has surprised me during my employment with urine tests for illegal drugs.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/the-w-m-keck-observatory-is-the-only-employer-that-has-surprised-me/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [“Interacting with a corrupt government judge is futile.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/interacting-with-a-corrupt-government-judge-is-futile/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) [Browse all 1,260 Illegal quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/illegal/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When the President does it, that means that it's not illegal.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Richard M. 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