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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

The Justice Department, which has a longstanding policy to not prosecute officials for refusing to turn over subpoenaed information shielded under executive privilege, declined to take up the contempt referral. —

Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2024 The Justice Department said executive privilege holds in this case as has in many others. —

Luke Barr, ABC News, 14 June 2024 Prosecutors, though, say Bannon had left the White House years before and Trump had never invoked executive privilege in front of the committee. —

Samuel Burke, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2024 His legal team had argued that the congressional subpoena was invalid because Trump had asserted executive privilege. —

Samuel Burke, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for executive privilege

Word History

First Known Use

1909, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of executive privilege was in 1909

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Executive privilege.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/executive%20privilege. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

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