John J. Sirica

“I want you to know that I am not a vengeful man... I do not have a drop of vengeful blood in my body.”

“The court is not interested in newspaper stories, it is not interested in what somebody on the outside thinks. The court is interested in the facts.”

“Let's get down to the nitty-gritty.”

“We have a cancer within, close to the presidency, that is growing.”

“This is the United States of America and one of its citizens is on trial for his life. If he's going to be given a fair trial, he's going to be given a fair trial in my court.”

“The public has a right to every man's evidence.”

“I hope the Senate and the American people will not be surprised if I have to be a bit of a bulldog.”

“In a criminal case, a defendant is entitled to a fair trial, not a perfect one.”

“I have no intention of abdicating my responsibility as a trial judge.”