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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 reentry into government could reignite partisan clashes over executive privilege and accountability for former officials.
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Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
In the case of Trump, the company said the nondisclosure order deprived him of the opportunity to assert executive privilege over the material before it was provided to the special counsel.
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Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2024
Prosecutors had to spend months secretly litigating executive privilege claims by Trump and his aides — and the Supreme Court added to the delay by not ordering speedy argument in Trump's immunity case and waiting until last July to hand down its decision.
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Carrie Johnson, NPR, 14 Jan. 2025
Richard Nixon invoked executive privilege and ordered secret bombings in Cambodia, steps that largely bypassed congressional oversight.
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Victor Menaldo, The Conversation, 16 Jan. 2025
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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 21 Feb. 2025.
Legal Definition
executive privilege
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