Case Law Index
federal1971
Additional Highlights:First AmendmentPrior RestraintNational Security
New York Times Co. v. United States (Pentagon Papers Case)
United States Supreme Court
Key Holding
The government failed to meet the heavy burden required to justify a prior restraint on publication of the Pentagon Papers.
Case Summary
The Pentagon Papers Case held that the Nixon Administration failed to meet the heavy burden required to justify prior restraints on publication, allowing the New York Times and Washington Post to publish classified Defense Department documents revealing the government's deception about the Vietnam War.