The dispute over the White House tapes eventually reached the United States Supreme Court. Special prosecutor Leon Jaworski sought recordings for the criminal prosecution of former Nixon administration officials, while Nixon argued that presidential privilege allowed him to withhold them.
On 24 July 1974 the Supreme Court unanimously upheld the subpoena for the recordings. The Court recognised a legitimate interest in presidential confidentiality but rejected an absolute privilege when weighed against the demonstrated need for evidence in a criminal proceeding.
The decision forced Nixon to surrender the tapes. Their release rapidly worsened his political position and contributed directly to the collapse of congressional support that preceded his resignation.