The Law: Legal Disputes in the Clinton Years

Abstract

The first six years of the Clinton administration were packed with legal controversies, ranging from presidential immunity (the Paula Jones case) to the item veto. When the Jones case widened to include Monica Lewinsky, the investigation by Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr led to repeated litigation and a narrowing of the concept of executive privilege. President Clinton's use of an executive order to carry out presidential power in the absence of congressional action was struck down in the courts. Although many of these disputes were resolved by the Supreme Court and lower courts, some were worked out between theWhite House and Congress, and still others await further judicial and legislative action.