Torturing Unilateralism: The Case of Abu Ghraib, the News Media, and a Broken Political System

Abstract

During the famous interview sessions with David Frost, President Nixon asserted that it was legitimate for the chief executive to invoke prerogative, extra-constitutional powers if it is in the best interest of the country. As he put, “Well when the president does it that means that it is not illegal.” Some may shrug off Nixon’s assertion as the bygone era of the “imperial presidency” and plausibly argue that the congressional resurgence of the 1970s placed sufficient constraints on the unilateral powers of the executive, especially in international affairs. However, the actions of most post-Watergate presidents tell a different story. This chapter demonstrates that President Nixon’s candid remark is in tune with the political and news media reality of American power.