Seasoned DUers: Didn't we resolve this issue of presidential immunity with Nixon?

[Ocelot II]

7. There were rumors at the time that he'd made some kind of deal with Ford,

though nothing was ever proved. Regardless, all hell broke loose; a lot of people were outraged (me included) and Ford paid the price in the next election. I think Ford's intent, whether or not there had been an agreement beforehand, was to get Nixon out of the headlines as quickly as possible in order to protect the reputation of the GOP and the politicians who had supported him. It didn't work.