The constitution was shaped by european traditions, particularly ideas as reflected in the magna carta and the bill of rights of 1689.

Due process of law was probably the most significant idea introduced by those documents. 

United states v.  nixon, 418  u.s.  683 (1974),  was  a landmark  united states supreme court case  that resulted in a unanimous  decision  against president richard  nixon, ordering him to deliver tape recordings  and  other subpoenaed materials to a  federal  district  court.