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executive privilege
noun
: 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
His legal team had argued that the congressional subpoena was invalid because Trump had asserted executive privilege.
—Samuel Burke, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2024
Navarro argued at his trial that executive privilege prevented him from cooperating with the committee.
—Kaelan Deese, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 29 Oct. 2024
Both had received letters from a lawyer for the former president directing them not to respond to subpoenas from the committee, citing executive privilege.
—Glenn Kessler, Washington Post, 18 July 2024
But the Justice Department declined to take up the contempt referral, citing its longstanding policy to not prosecute officials for refusing to turn over subpoenaed information while citing executive privilege.
—Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 1 July 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1909, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of executive privilege was
in 1909
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Cite this Entry
“Executive privilege.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/executive%20privilege. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
Legal Definition
executive privilege
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