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

Executive privilege is the president’s power to withhold sensitive information and private discussions from Congress and the judicial branch to guarantee frank conversations with other executive branch officials.

From Salon

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 1974, Philip Lacovara, as counsel to the special prosecutor, urged the Supreme Court to reject Nixon’s claim of executive privilege with a “definitive” ruling.

From Los Angeles Times

There, he helped clear a difficult clemency case backlog and provided the governor the legal guidance to pledge never to use executive privilege to keep records away from the public.

From Seattle Times

It said executive privilege would be invoked, which is a legal doctrine that shields some executive branch records from being made public.

From BBC