harlow fitzgerald argued november decided june respondent civil damages action federal district based alleged unlawful discharge employment department air force petitioners white house aides former president nixon codefendants claimed participated alleged conspiracy violate respondent constitutional statutory rights involved nixon fitzgerald ante extensive pretrial discovery district denied motions petitioners former president summary judgment holding inter alia petitioners entitled absolute immunity suit independently former president petitioners appealed denial immunity defense appeals dismissed appeal held government officials whose special functions constitutional status requires complete protection suits damages including certain officials executive branch prosecutors similar officials see butz economou president nixon fitzgerald ante entitled defense absolute immunity however executive officials general usually entitled qualified immunity recognition qualified immunity defense high executives reflects attempt balance competing values importance damages remedy protect rights citizens also need protect officials required exercise discretion related public interest encouraging vigorous exercise official authority scheuer rhodes federal officials seeking absolute immunity personal liability unconstitutional conduct must bear burden showing public policy requires exemption scope pp public policy require blanket recognition absolute immunity presidential aides cf butz supra pp rationale gravel held speech debate clause derivately applicable legislative acts senator aide privileged performed senator mandate derivative absolute immunity president chief aides functional approach immunity law immunity protection extends justification warrants pp absolute immunity might justified aides entrusted discretionary authority sensitive areas national security foreign policy special functions rationale warrant blanket recognition absolute immunity presidential aides performance duties establish entitlement absolute immunity presidential aide first must show responsibilities office embraced function sensitive require total shield liability must demonstrate discharging protected function performing act liability asserted record case neither petitioner made requisite showing absolute immunity however possibility petitioners remand satisfy proper standards foreclosed pp petitioners entitled application qualified immunity standard permits defeat insubstantial claims without resort trial pp previously recognized subjective aspect qualified good faith immunity whereby immunity available official asserting defense took action malicious intention cause deprivation constitutional rights injury wood strickland frequently proved incompatible principle insubstantial claims proceed trial henceforth government officials performing discretionary functions generally shielded liability civil damages insofar conduct violate clearly established statutory constitutional rights reasonable person known pp case remanded district reconsideration question whether respondent pretrial showings insufficient withstand petitioners motion summary judgment pp powell delivered opinion brennan white marshall blackmun rehnquist stevens joined brennan filed concurring opinion marshall blackmun joined post brennan white marshall blackmun filed separate concurring statement post rehnquist filed concurring opinion post burger filed dissenting opinion post elliot richardson argued cause petitioners briefs glenn gerstell john nolan argued cause respondent brief samuel perkins arthur spitzer louis alan clark filed brief government accountability project institute policy studies amicus curiae urging affirmance briefs amici curiae filed solicitor general lee roger marzulla william mellor iii mountain legal foundation john armor richard mayberry national taxpayers legal fund thomas madden senator orrin hatch et al justice powell delivered opinion issue case scope immunity available senior aides advisers president suit damages based upon official acts suit civil damages petitioners bryce harlow alexander butterfield alleged participated conspiracy violate constitutional statutory rights respondent ernest fitzgerald respondent avers petitioners entered conspiracy capacities senior white house aides former president richard nixon alleged conspiracy involved nixon fitzgerald ante facts need repeated detail respondent claims harlow joined conspiracy role presidential aide principally responsible congressional relations conclusion discovery supporting evidence remained inferential evidence harlow conspiratorial activity respondent relies heavily series conversations harlow discussed fitzgerald dismissal air force secretary robert seamans evidence supportive fitzgerald claims consists recorded conversation president later voiced tentative recollection harlow canning fitzgerald disputing fitzgerald contentions harlow argues exhaustive discovery adduced direct evidence involvement wrongful activity avers secretary seamans advised considerations efficiency required fitzgerald removal reduction force despite anticipated adverse congressional reaction harlow asserts reason believe conspiracy existed contends took actions good faith petitioner butterfield also alleged entered conspiracy later may employed deputy assistance president deputy chief staff haldeman butterfield circulated white house memorandum month claimed learned fitzgerald planned blow whistle shoddy purchasing practices exposing practices public view fitzgerald characterizes memorandum evidence butterfield commenced efforts secure fitzgerald retaliatory dismissal evidence butterfield participated conspiracy conceal unlawful discharge prevent reemployment fitzgerald cites communications butterfield haldeman december january president promised press conference inquire fitzgerald dismissal haldeman solicited butterfield recommendations subsequent memorandum emphasizing importance loyalty butterfield counseled offering fitzgerald another job administration time part butterfield denies involved decision concerning fitzgerald employment status haldeman sought advice december month fitzgerald termination scheduled announced publicly air force butterfield never communicated views fitzgerald official defense department argues generally nearly eight years discovery failed turn evidence caused injury fitzgerald together codefendant richard nixon petitioners harlow butterfield moved summary judgment february denying motion district upheld legal sufficiency fitzgerald bivens bivens six unknown fed narcotics agents claim first amendment inferred statutory causes action supp iv found genuine issues disputed fact remained resolution trial also ruled petitioners entitled absolute immunity app pet cert independently former president nixon petitioners invoked collateral order doctrine appealed denial immunity defense appeals district columbia circuit appeals dismissed appeal without opinion never determined immunity available senior aides advisers president granted certiorari ii reiterated today nixon fitzgerald ante decisions consistently held government officials entitled form immunity suits damages recognized common law public officers require protection shield undue interference duties potentially disabling threats liability decisions recognized immunity defenses two kinds officials whose special functions constitutional status requires complete protection suit recognized defense absolute immunity absolute immunity legislators legislative functions see eastland servicemen fund judges judicial functions see stump sparkman well settled decisions also extended absolute immunity certain officials executive branch include prosecutors similar officials see butz economou executive officers engaged adjudicative functions president see nixon fitzgerald ante executive officials general however cases make plain qualified immunity represents norm scheuer rhodes acknowledged high officials require greater protection less complex discretionary responsibilities nonetheless held governor aides receive requisite protection qualified immunity butz economou supra extended approach scheuer high federal officials executive branch discussing detail considerations also underlain decision scheuer explained recognition qualified immunity defense high executives reflected attempt balance competing values importance damages remedy protect rights citizens also need protect officials required exercise discretion related public interest encouraging vigorous exercise official authority without discounting adverse consequences denying high officials absolute immunity private lawsuits alleging constitutional violations consequences found sufficient spalding vilas barr matteo warrant extension officials absolute immunity suits common law emphasized expectation insubstantial suits need proceed trial insubstantial lawsuits quickly terminated federal courts alert possibilities artful pleading unless complaint compensable claim relief survive motion dismiss moreover recognized scheuer damages suits concerning constitutional violations need proceed trial terminated properly supported motion summary judgment based defense immunity responding motion plaintiffs may play dog manger firm application federal rules civil procedure ensure federal officials harassed frivolous lawsuits citations omitted iii petitioners argue entitled blanket protection absolute immunity incident offices presidential aides deciding claim write empty page butz economou supra secretary agriculture cabinet official directly accountable president asserted defense absolute official immunity suit civil damages rejected claim question power importance secretary office doubt importance president loyal efficient subordinates executing duties office yet found factors alone insufficient justify absolute immunity greater power high officials reasoned affords greater potential regime lawless conduct damages actions high officials therefore important means vindicating constitutional guarantees ibid moreover concluded untenable draw distinction purposes immunity law suits brought state officials suits brought directly constitution federal officials decided butz members cabinet ordinarily enjoy qualified immunity suit conclude today equally untenable hold absolute immunity incident office every presidential subordinate based white house members cabinet direct subordinates president frequently greater responsibilities president nation white house staff considerations supported decision butz apply equal force case disparagement offices held petitioners hold presidential aides like members cabinet generally entitled qualified immunity disputing controlling authority butz petitioners rely principles developed gravel gravel endorsed view literally impossible members congress perform legislative tasks without help aides assistants work aides critical members performance must treated latter alter egos done held speech debate clause derivatively applicable legislative acts senator aide privileged performed senator petitioners contend rationale gravel mandates similar derivative immunity chief aides president emphasizing president must delegate large measure authority execute duties office argue recognition derivative absolute immunity made essential considerations support absolute immunity president petitioners argument without force ultimately however sweeps far president aides derivatively immune essential functioning presidency members cabinet presidential subordinates whose essential roles acknowledged constitution absolutely immune yet implicitly rejected derivative immunity butz moreover general cases followed functional approach immunity law recognized judicial prosecutorial legislative functions require absolute immunity protection extended justification warrant gravel example emphasized senators aides absolutely immune performing acts legislative nature taking acts even official capacity see hutchinson proxmire cases involving judges prosecutors followed similar line undifferentiated extension absolute derivative immunity president aides therefore reconciled functional approach characterized immunity decisions indeed including gravel petitioners also assert entitlement immunity based special functions white house aides form argument accords analytical approach cases aides entrusted discretionary authority sensitive areas national security foreign policy absolute immunity might well justified protect unhesitating performance functions vital national interest special functions rationale warrant blanket recognition absolute immunity presidential aides performance duties conclusion follows decision butz establishes executive official claim absolute immunity must justified reference public interest special functions office mere fact high station butz also identifies location burden proof burden justifying absolute immunity rests official asserting claim course occasion identify presidential aide might carry burden general requisites familiar cases order establish entitlement absolute immunity presidential aide first must show responsibilities office embraced function sensitive require total shield liability must demonstrate discharging protected function performing act liability asserted applying standards claims advanced petitioners harlow butterfield conclude record us either shown public policy requires functions office exemption absolute scope butz assuming petitioners functions absolute immunity warranted conclude acts charged lawsuit taken lie within protected area however foreclose possibility petitioners remand satisfy standards properly applicable claims iv even establish official functions require absolute immunity petitioners assert public policy least mandates application qualified immunity standard permit defeat insubstantial claims without resort trial agree resolution immunity questions inherently requires balance evils inevitable available alternative situations abuse office action damages may offer realistic avenue vindication constitutional guarantees butz economou supra see bivens six unknown fed narcotics agents people bivens shoes damages nothing recognition required denial absolute immunity public officers time however disputed seriously claims frequently run innocent well guilty cost defendant officials society whole social costs include expenses litigation diversion official energy pressing public issues deterrence able citizens acceptance public office finally danger fear sued dampen ardor resolute irresponsible public officials unflinching discharge duties gregoire biddle cert denied identifying qualified immunity best attainable accommodation competing values butz supra scheuer relied assumption standard permit nsubstantial lawsuits quickly terminated see hanrahan hampton powell concurring part dissenting part yet petitioners advance persuasive arguments dismissal insubstantial lawsuits without trial factor presupposed balance competing interests struck prior cases requires adjustment good faith standard established decisions qualified good faith immunity affirmative defense must pleaded defendant official gomez toledo decisions established good faith defense objective subjective aspect objective element involves presumptive knowledge respect basic unquestioned constitutional rights wood strickland subjective component refers permissible intentions ibid characteristically defined elements identifying circumstances qualified immunity available referring objective subjective elements held qualified immunity defeated official knew reasonably known action took within sphere official responsibility violate constitutional rights plaintiff took action malicious intention cause deprivation constitutional rights injury ibid emphasis added subjective element defense frequently proved incompatible admonition butz insubstantial claims proceed trial rule federal rules civil procedure provides disputed questions fact ordinarily may decided motions summary judgment official subjective good faith considered question fact courts regarded inherently requiring resolution jury context butz attempted balancing competing values clear substantial costs attend litigation subjective good faith government officials general costs subjecting officials risks trial distraction officials governmental duties inhibition discretionary action deterrence able people public service special costs subjective inquiries kind immunity generally available officials performing discretionary functions contrast thought processes accompanying ministerial tasks judgments surrounding discretionary action almost inevitably influenced decisionmaker experiences values emotions variables explain part questions subjective intent rarely decided summary judgment yet also frame background often clear end relevant evidence judicial inquiry subjective motivation therefore may entail discovery deposing numerous persons including official professional colleagues inquiries kind peculiarly disruptive effective government consistently balance aimed butz conclude today bare allegations malice suffice subject government officials either costs trial burdens discovery therefore hold government officials performing discretionary functions generally shielded liability civil damages insofar conduct violate clearly established statutory constitutional rights reasonable person known see procunier navarette wood strickland reliance objective reasonableness official conduct measured reference clearly established law avoid excessive disruption government permit resolution many insubstantial claims summary judgment summary judgment judge appropriately may determine currently applicable law whether law clearly established time action occurred law time clearly established official reasonably expected anticipate subsequent legal developments fairly said know law forbade conduct previously identified unlawful threshold immunity question resolved discovery allowed law clearly established immunity defense ordinarily fail since reasonably competent public official know law governing conduct nevertheless official pleading defense claims extraordinary circumstances prove neither knew known relevant legal standard defense sustained defense turn primarily objective factors defining limits qualified immunity essentially objective terms provide license lawless conduct public interest deterrence unlawful conduct compensation victims remains protected test focuses objective legal reasonableness official acts official expected know certain conduct violate statutory constitutional rights made hesitate person suffers injury caused conduct may cause action official duties legitimately require action clearly established rights implicated public interest may better served action taken independence without fear consequences pierson ray case petitioners asked us hold respondent pretrial showings insufficient survive motion summary judgment think appropriate however remand case district reconsideration issue light opinion trial familiar record far developed also better situated make findings may necessary judgment appeals vacated case remanded action consistent opinion ordered footnotes record reveals secretary seamans called harlow may inquire likely congressional reaction draft reorganization plan cause fitzgerald dismissal according seamans testimony air force ask harlow pass judgment action asked impact relationship congress app deposition robert seamans aide harlow responded sensitive item hill recommendation air force proceed make change time air force persisted seamans spoke harlow least one subsequent occasion spring record also establishes secretary seamans called harlow november shortly public announcement fitzgerald impending dismissal december see see transcript recorded conversation richard nixon ronald ziegler february conversation president january john ehrlichman also recalled harlow discussed fitzgerald case president see transcript recorded conversation richard nixon john ehrlichman january conversation president asserted spoken harlow fitzgerald matter see parties continue dispute whether nixon relevant moments discussion confusing fitzgerald case another dismissed employee president explicitly stated one point previously confused see see defendants memorandum points authorities support motion summary judgment civ dc support version events harlow relies particularly deposition testimony air force secretary seamans stated regarded abolition fitzgerald position necessary improve efficiency financial management office air force never received white house instruction regarding fitzgerald case app harlow also disputes probative value richard nixon recorded remark harlow supported fitzgerald firing harlow emphasizes tentativeness president statement president query whether harlow canning fitzgerald white house press secretary ronald ziegler fact gave negative reply think bryce may way president respond ziegler comment record establishes butterfield worked office immediately adjacent oval office almost daily contact president march left white house become administrator federal aviation administration butterfield reported information referred federal bureau investigation memorandum butterfield reported received information word several mouths allegedly senior official originally evidently fitzgerald attended recent meeting national democratic coalition revealed intentions labor representative fortunately us unsympathetic ibid memorandum quoted nixon fitzgerald ante sent defense department see memorandum support summary judgment supra history fitzgerald litigation recounted nixon fitzgerald ante butterfield named defendant initial civil action filed fitzgerald harlow named first time respondent second amended complaint july first statutes supp iv provides generally right employees furnish information either house congress committee member thereof may interfered denied second criminal statute making crime obstruct congressional testimony neither expressly creates private right sue damages petitioners argue district erred finding private cause action inferred either statute special factors present context federal relationship preclude recognition respondent bivens action first amendment legal sufficiency respondent asserted causes action however question view properly presented decision present posture case see infra nixon fitzgerald ante jurisdiction challenged basis district order denying petitioners claim absolute immunity appealable final order appeals dismissal petitioners appeal establishes case never appeals within meaning discussion nixon establishes jurisdiction case well need consider challenges opinion petitioners also claim support cases followed gravel holding congressional employees derivatively entitled legislative immunity provided senators representatives speech debate clause see eastland servicemen fund doe mcmillan see art ii president may require opinion writing principal officer executive departments upon subject relating duties respective offices chief justice post argues senior presidential aides work intimately president daily basis cabinet officer butz therefore controlling recent years however men henry kissinger james schlesinger served presidential advisory cabinet positions kissinger held posts simultaneously view impossible generalize role offices individual president administration without reference functions particular officeholders assigned president butz economou distinguished basis see virginia consumers union stump sparkman imbler pachtman reserved question whether absolute immunity extend aspects prosecutor responsibility cast role administrator investigative officer since time courts appeals generally ruled prosecutors enjoy absolute immunity acts taken capacities see mancini lester forsyth kleindienst least implicitly drawn distinction extending absolute immunity executive officials engaged functions see butz economou decision today nixon fitzgerald ante way abrogates general rule explained opinion recognition absolute immunity president acts office derives principal part factors unique constitutional responsibilities station suits officials including presidential aides generally invoke considerations extent suits president cf nixon ourts traditionally shown utmost deference presidential responsibilities foreign policy military affairs claims privilege area receive higher degree deference invocations president generalized interest confidentiality katz white concurring require warrant procedure magistrate judgment president chief legal officer attorney general considered requirements national security authorized electronic surveillance reasonable emphasis added gravel points similar conclusion fairly may assume aides assigned act presidential alter egos exercise functions absolute immunity essential conduct public business butz supra cf gravel supra derivative immunity extends acts within central role speech debate clause permitting free legislative speech debate analogy gravel derivative claim presidential immunity strongest central presidential domains foreign policy national security president discharge singularly vital mandate without delegating functions nearly sensitive elsewhere relevant judicial inquiries encompass considerations public policy importance confirmed either reference common law likely constitutional heritage structure see nixon fitzgerald ante need inquiry implicit butz economou supra see imbler pachtman supra cases involving immunity speech debate clause inquired explicitly whether particular acts activities qualified protection clause see hutchinson proxmire doe mcmillan gravel supra see generally schuck suing servants congress liability public officials damages rev importance consideration hardly needs emphasis noted risk imposed upon political officials must defend actions motives jury see lake country estates tahoe regional planning agency tenney brandhove observed tenney times political passion dishonest vindictive motives readily attributed readily believed although gomez presented question context action analysis indicates immunity must also pleaded defense actions constitution laws see gomez decide party bore burden proof issue good faith rehnquist concurring wood explicitly limited holding circumstances school board member specific context school discipline stripped claimed immunity action subsequent cases however quoted wood formulation general statement qualified immunity standard see procunier navarette quoted baker mccollan rule summary judgment shall rendered forthwith pleadings depositions answers interrogatories admissions file together affidavits show genuine issue material fact moving party entitled judgment matter law determining whether summary judgment proper ordinarily must look record light favorable party opposing motion drawing inferences favorable party poller columbia broadcasting system landrum moats duchesne sugarman cf hutchinson proxmire questioning whether existence actual malice issue fact may properly decided summary judgment suit alleging libel public figure suits president closest aides discovery kind frequently implicate concerns recognized nixon president assist must free explore alternatives process shaping policies making decisions way many unwilling express except privately considerations justifying presumptive privilege presidential communications privilege fundamental operation government inextricably rooted separation powers constitution judge gesell observed concurring opinion halperin kissinger app aff pertinent part equally divided close eyes fact increasing frequency jurisdiction throughout country plaintiffs filing suits seeking damage awards high government officials personal capacities based alleged constitutional torts suit almost invariably results officials colleagues subjected extensive discovery traditionally protected areas deliberations preparatory formulation government policy intimate thought processes communications presidential cabinet levels discover sic without considerable cost officials involved difficult ingenious plaintiff counsel create material issue fact element immunity defense subtle questions constitutional law decisionmaker mental processes involved sentence casual document difference recollection regard particular policy conversation held long ago usually normal summary judgment standards sufficient force trial effect development upon willingness individuals serve country obvious case involves issue concerning elements immunity available state officials sued constitutional violations found previously however untenable draw distinction purposes immunity law suits brought state officials suits brought directly constitution federal officials butz economou decision way diminishes absolute immunity currently available officials whose functions held require protection scope case involves claim congress expressed intent impose fault tort liability high federal officials violations particular statutes constitution procunier navarette need define circumstances state law evaluated reference opinions courts appeals local district cf procunier navarette supra quoting wood strickland reasonably expected aware constitutional right yet declared petitioners act disregard established law conduct reasonably characterized good faith emphasize decision applies suits civil damages arising actions within scope official duties objective good faith express view conditions injunctive declaratory relief might available butz admonished insubstantial suits high public officials allowed proceed trial see schuck supra reiterate admonition insubstantial lawsuits undermine effectiveness government contemplated constitutional structure firm application federal rules civil procedure fully warranted cases petitioners also urged us prior remand rule legal sufficiency respondent implied causes action supp iv bivens claim first amendment view petitioners argument statutory question insubstantial cf merrill lynch pierce fenner smith curran controlling question implication statutory causes action whether congress affirmatively intended create damages remedy middlesex county sewerage auth national sea clammers texas industries radcliff materials bivens question cf bush lucas holding unique relationship federal government civil service employees special consideration counsels hesitation inferring bivens remedy nixon fitzgerald ante however took jurisdiction case resolve immunity question collateral order doctrine therefore think appropriate leave questions fuller consideration district necessary appeals justice brennan justice marshall justice blackmun join concurring agree substantive standard announced today imposing liability defendant knew known constitutionally violative effect actions ante standard allow official actually knows violating law escape liability actions even reasonably expected know actually know ante thus clever unusually violator constitutional rights evade punishment crimes also agree standard applies across board government officials performing discretionary functions ante write separately note given standard seems inescapable measure discovery may sometimes required determine exactly defendant know time actions respect issue us similar addressed herbert lando observed erect impenetrable barrier plaintiff use evidence side case matter substance particularly defendants prone assert goo aith course already noted ante summary judgment readily available defendants whenever state law ambiguous time alleged violation known thus liability ensue view summary judgment also readily available whenever plaintiff prove threshold matter violation constitutional rights actually occurred see reason discovery defendants knowledge deferred trial judge pending decision motion defendants summary judgment grounds cf herbert lando supra powell concurring justice brennan justice white justice marshall justice blackmun concurring join opinion dissented nixon fitzgerald ante disassociate implication opinion present case nixon fitzgerald correctly decided justice rehnquist concurring time majority willing holding butz economou shall join undertaking alacrity time comes agree opinion case properly disposes issues presented therefore join chief justice burger dissenting today decides nixon fitzgerald ante taken granted years implicit constitution president absolute immunity civil suits arising official acts chief executive agree fully absolute immunity official acts president like executive privilege fundamental operation government inextricably rooted separation powers constitution nixon case decides senior aides president derivative immunity president loss however reconcile conclusion holding gravel reads butz economou resolving question butz clearly distinguishable gravel held implicit constitution aides members congress absolute immunity acts performed members relation legislative function viewed aides immunity deriving speech debate clause provides speech debate either house senators representatives shall questioned place art cl emphasis added read literally clause course limit absolute immunity member speech debate within chamber read much plain language clause says nothing legislative acts outside chambers concluded constitution grants absolute immunity legislative acts either house committees conferences reports legislative activities clause mention immunity congressional aides yet going far beyond words found constitution held member aides implement policies decisions member entitled absolute immunity member hardly overstatement say thus avoided literalistic approach gravel supra instead looked structure constitution evolution function legislative branch short drew immunity legislative aides functional analysis legislative process context constitution taken whole light realities neither presidents members congress perform constitutional duties personally properly recognized gravel central purpose member absolute immunity diminished frustrated legislative aides also protected broad immunity speaking gravel justice white agreed appeals literally impossible view complexities modern legislative process congress almost constantly session matters legislative concern constantly proliferating members congress perform legislative tasks without help aides assistants work aides critical members performance must treated latter alter egos recognized central role speech debate clause prevent intimidation legislators executive accountability possibly hostile judiciary inevitably diminished frustrated emphasis added made reality matter constitutional jurisprudence conceivably hold president represents vastly larger constituency member congress alter egos comparable immunity perform constitutional duties assigned executive literally impossible view complexities modern executive process without help aides assistants words reflect precise analysis gravel analysis applies least much force president primary layer senior aides president like senator alter egos literally president elbow offices feet hundred feet desk president like member congress may see personal aides many times one day indeed president arms fingers aid performing constitutional duty see laws faithfully executed like member congress vastly greater scale president personally implement fraction policies decisions inexplicable reason declines recognize realities workings office president despite cogent recognition gravel concerning realities workings members congress absent equal protection president aides presidents free risks intimidation congress accountability possibly hostile judiciary gravel today holding case functioning presidency inevitably diminished frustrated ibid precisely public policy considerations relies nixon fitzgerald relied recently gravel fully applicable senior presidential aides opinion nixon fitzgerald correctly points president subject suit awareness personal vulnerability suit frequently distract president public duties detriment president office also nation presidency designed serve ante negative incentive permeate inner workings office president chief executive alter egos protected derivatively immunity president addition exposure civil liability official acts result constant judicial questioning judicial proceedings pretrial discovery inner workings presidential office beyond necessary maintain traditional checks balances constitutional structure challenge dissenters nixon fitzgerald join instant holding say effectiveness presidential aides inevitably diminished frustrated gravel supra must weigh every act decision relation risks future lawsuits gravel took note burdens congressional aides stress long hours heavy responsibilities constant exposure harassment political arena suggesting stresses less presidential aides construing constitution give qualified immunity senior presidential aides give key alter egos lawsuits winnable lawsuits perhaps lawsuits nonetheless stress effort disperse drain energies purses witness new filing many cases week many utterly frivolous even bizarre yet defending party many cases may spent become liable thousands dollars litigation expense hundreds thousands cases disposed without reaching see myriad irresponsible frivolous cases regularly filed american courts magnitude potential risks attending acceptance public office emerges potential risks inevitably factor discouraging able men women entering public service judges collectively held common law provides us absolute immunity respect judicial acts however erroneous see stump sparkman lowest ranking judges thousands prosecutors thousands congressional aides aggregate less entitled greater protection two senior aides president butz economou dictate senior presidential aides given qualified immunity butz held cabinet officer exercising discretion entitled absolute immunity need abandon holding senior presidential aide works intimately president daily basis cabinet officer directly implementing presidential decisions literally hour hour dissent today nixon fitzgerald justice white applies dissenting view butz office president ante however suggests president cabinet officers serve pleasure president plane constitutionally wholly fails distinguish role president elbow aides role cabinet officers department heads rather alter egos sense inconsistent hold president personal aides greater immunity cabinet officers analysis gravel demonstrates question derivative immunity depend person rank position hierarchy function performed person relationship person superior cabinet officers clearly outrank attorneys yet qualified immunity accorded former absolute immunity latter rank important extent rank determines function performed function senior presidential aides alter egos president integral inseparable part function president justice white clearly correct gravel stating members congress perform legislative tasks without help aides assistants work aides critical members performance must treated latter alter egos ignoring gravel engaging wooden application butz significantly undermines functioning office president opinion nixon today clear presidential immunity derives constitution much congressional immunity comes source rationally one rule congressional aides another presidential aides simply initial absolute immunity derives different aspects constitution find inexplicable makes effort demonstrate chief executive nation assured senior staff aides protection aides members house senate noted nixon fitzgerald presidential immunity official acts office never seriously questioned recently see ante burger concurring indeed irreconcilable conflict gravel butz obligation try harmonize holdings least tender reasonable explanation done neither senator allotment staff varies significantly range persons addition committee staff aides perform important legislative functions members doc pp house members roughly assistants one time addition committee staff aides doc pp early years republic members congress presidents performed duties without staffs aides assistants washington jefferson spent much time plantations congress even appropriate funds presidential clerk lincoln opened mail cleveland answered phone white house wilson regularly typed speeches wayne legislative presidency whatever may situation beginning washington adams jefferson know today presidency functions staff exercises wide spectrum authority discretion directly assists president carrying constitutional duties justice white dissent nixon fitzgerald today expresses great concern president may cause serious injury number citizens even though knows conduct violates statute ante dissent wholly overlooks however plain fact absolute immunity protect president acts outside constitutional function president remedies checks presidential abuse also check abuses comparatively small group senior aides act alter egos president aides serve pleasure president thus may removed president congressional public scrutiny maintain constant pervasive check abuses aides may prosecuted criminally see nixon ante however criminal prosecution commenced absent careful consideration grand jury request prosecutor check present respect commencement civil suits advocates subject realistic accountability executive branch may matter grace supply legal assistance department justice longstanding policy representing federal officers civil suits involving conduct performed within scope employment addition department provides retention private legal counsel necessary see senate subcommittee administrative practice procedure committee judiciary justice department retention private legal counsel represent federal employees civil lawsuits sess comm print congress frequently pays expenses defending members even acts wholly outside legislative function trouble reconciling gravel kilbourn thompson kilbourn house representatives held share absolute immunity enjoyed members congress ordered officer act