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
Those witnesses asserted executive privilege or other reasons for not testifying — by far the most time-consuming and frustrating element of the investigation, in the view of current and former officials.
—
Adam Goldman, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024
His legal team also argued that the questions Navarro plans to raise on appeal, which involve the assertion of executive privilege, are ones that have not been answered before, and therefore warrant his release for now.
—Robert Legare, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2024
On Wednesday, the judge went further, ruling that Navarro cannot argue to the trial jury that a valid claim of executive privilege existed.
—Paul Duggan, Washington Post, 30 Aug. 2023
The transcript would likely need to be reviewed for classified information and any claims of executive privilege would have to be settled before it could be released.
—Robert Legare, CBS News, 13 Feb. 2024
Trump's lawyer contends the group is wrong by arguing issues of executive privilege are immediately appealable.
—Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 3 Jan. 2024
President Biden could have also exerted executive privilege and made redactions.
—Perry Stein, Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2024
But when prosecutors working for the special counsel, Jack Smith, challenged Mr. Trump’s executive privilege claims before a judge, Mr. Meadows pivoted.
—Maggie Haberman, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2023
His attorneys unsuccessfully urged Mehta, the judge, to allow Navarro to argue that Trump instructed him to assert executive privilege and deny the congressional request.
—Robert Legare, CBS News, 25 Jan. 2024
Adam Goldman, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024
His legal team also argued that the questions Navarro plans to raise on appeal, which involve the assertion of executive privilege, are ones that have not been answered before, and therefore warrant his release for now.
—Robert Legare, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2024
On Wednesday, the judge went further, ruling that Navarro cannot argue to the trial jury that a valid claim of executive privilege existed.
—Paul Duggan, Washington Post, 30 Aug. 2023
The transcript would likely need to be reviewed for classified information and any claims of executive privilege would have to be settled before it could be released.
—Robert Legare, CBS News, 13 Feb. 2024
Trump's lawyer contends the group is wrong by arguing issues of executive privilege are immediately appealable.
—Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 3 Jan. 2024
President Biden could have also exerted executive privilege and made redactions.
—Perry Stein, Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2024
But when prosecutors working for the special counsel, Jack Smith, challenged Mr. Trump’s executive privilege claims before a judge, Mr. Meadows pivoted.
—Maggie Haberman, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2023
His attorneys unsuccessfully urged Mehta, the judge, to allow Navarro to argue that Trump instructed him to assert executive privilege and deny the congressional request.
—Robert Legare, CBS News, 25 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'executive privilege.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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 19 Apr. 2024.
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executive privilege
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