En savoir plus
Prosecuting the President explains what every American needs to know about special prosecutors, perhaps the most consequential and the most mysterious public officials of our time. For more than a century, they have struck fear into the hearts of Presidents, who have the power to fire them at any time. How could this be? And how could the nation have entrusted such a high responsibility to such subordinate officials? As this book shows, the answer is thatspecial prosecutors serve as catalysts for democracy. By raising the visibility of presidential misconduct, they enable the American people to hold the President accountable for his actions. Ultimately, the choice is ours.
Table des matières
- Introduction
- Chapter 1 - A Special Kind of Prosecutor
- PART I: HISTORY
- Chapter 2 - The First 100 Years
- Chapter 3 - A Cancer on the Presidency
- Chapter 4 - The World Watergate Made
- Chapter 5 - A New Balance
- PART II: LAW
- Chapter 6 - Can the President Be Charged with a Crime?
- Chapter 7 - Can the President Be Compelled to Testify Under Oath?
- Chapter 8 - Can the President Obstruct Justice?
- Chapter 9 - Can Congress Protect Special Prosecutors from the President?
- EPILOGUE
- A Double-Edged Sword
A propos de l'auteur
Andrew Coan is a law professor at the University of Arizona and a graduate of Stanford Law School.
Résumé
"The perfect book for the present moment. Prosecuting the President is magnificent." -- David Marcus, Professor of Law, UCLA
In this exceptionally timely book, law professor Andrew Coan explains what every American needs to know about special prosecutors - perhaps the most important and misunderstood public officials of our time.
The first special prosecutor was appointed by President Ulysses S. Grant in 1875, to investigate a bribery scandal involving his close friends and associates. Ever since, presidents of both parties have appointed special prosecutors and empowered them to operate with unusual independence. Also called special counsels and independent counsels, such appointments became a standard method for neutralizing political scandals and demonstrating the President's commitment to the rule of law. Special counsel Robert Mueller is the latest example.
In Prosecuting the President, Andrew Coan offers a highly engaging look at the long, mostly forgotten history of special prosecutors in American politics. For more than a century, special prosecutors have struck fear into the hearts of Presidents, who have the power to fire them at any time. How could this be, Coan asks? And how could the nation entrust such a high responsibility to such subordinate officials? With vivid storytelling and historical examples, Coan demonstrates that special prosecutors can do much to protect the rule of law under the right circumstances.
Many have been thwarted by the formidable challenges of investigating a sitting President and his close associates; a few have abused the powers entrusted to them. But at their best, special prosecutors function as catalysts of democracy, channeling an unfocused popular will to safeguard the rule of law. By raising the visibility of high-level misconduct, they enable the American people to hold the President accountable. Yet, if a President thinks he can fire a special prosecutor without incurring serious political damage, he has the power to do so. Ultimately, Coan concludes, only the American people can decide whether the President is above the law.
Texte suppl.
Coan's superb storytelling and incisive analysis bring to life past special prosecutor episodes and skillfully apply their lessons to present-day events. Prosecuting the President is essential reading for anyone who cares about democracy and the rule of law.
