executive privilege
nounDefinition of executive privilege
: exemption from legally enforced disclosure of communications within the executive branch of government when such disclosure would adversely affect the functions and decision-making processes of the executive branch
Examples of executive privilege in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Nixon six times asserted his presidential right to executive privilege and hid incriminating materials from scrutiny (not least Oval Office audio tapes of Nixon conspiring with his henchmen). — Deroy Murdock, National Review, "Obstruction? There Was No Obstruction.," 2 Aug. 2019 President Trump has exerted executive privilege over the entire report. — Grace Segers, CBS News, "House votes on enforcing subpoenas for Trump administration officials," 11 June 2019 Trump claimed that executive privilege prevented the witnesses from complying with congressional subpoenas in both cases. — Los Angeles Times, "House rejects effort to force vote on impeaching President Trump," 17 July 2019 Trump so far has largely stymied House Democrats on that front, citing executive privilege and other concerns to block witnesses from testifying. — oregonlive.com, "Watch Robert Mueller’s testimony to Congress," 24 July 2019 Trump so far has largely stymied House Democrats on that front, citing executive privilege and other concerns to block witnesses from testifying. — Matt Zapotosky, The Denver Post, "Five things to know about Robert Mueller’s testimony," 23 July 2019 Trump asserted executive privilege over the material. — Billy House, BostonGlobe.com, "House holds Barr, Ross in contempt over census document fight," 17 July 2019 But the president stopped short of trying to assert executive privilege over his conversations with Ms. Hicks. — Nicholas Fandos, New York Times, "Hope Hicks Declines to Answer Lawmakers’ Questions on Transition and White House," 19 June 2019 Moore said the office didn’t push back against executive privilege for fear of a court test that would establish boundaries for its use. — The Kansas City Star Editorial Board, kansascity, "Missourians can’t trust Hawley investigation into Greitens’ use of text-destroying app," 19 Mar. 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'executive privilege.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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