executive privilege

American  

noun

1. the discretionary right claimed by certain U.S. presidents to withhold information from Congress or the judiciary.

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Etymology

Origin of executive privilege

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

Recent efforts to minimize the reach of the courts over executive privilege notwithstanding, the judiciary is still empowered to halt executive decisions.

From Salon

In his statement, Raskin highlighted "key findings" of the report, including that Trump and his associates were deeply involved not just in the insurrection but a months-long plot to pressure officials to nullify election results and send false certifications from bad-faith electors; that Trump was aware that his claims of Democratic Party-led voter fraud were false; and that Trump used executive privilege and witness intimidation to "block the truth about his illegal conduct, posing unique challenges for special counsel Smith’s investigation."

From Salon

The special counsel also laid out the challenges it faced in its investigation, including Trump’s assertion of executive privilege to try to block witnesses from providing evidence, which forced prosecutors into sealed court battles before the case was charged.

From Los Angeles Times

When a House committee sought documents and testimony from Mr. Navarro about his efforts to overturn the election, he rebuffed them, citing “executive privilege.”

From New York Times

“Especially since neither Walz nor Vance have had federal executive privilege.”

From Los Angeles Times