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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
Even if executive privilege did apply, Navarro was prosecuted for refusing to appear, not for refusing to answer questions.
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Glenn Kessler, Washington Post, 18 July 2024
Navarro refused to testify in front of the House Select Committee that investigated the Jan. 6 attack, claiming Trump had invoked executive privilege in the case.
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Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 17 July 2024
For him, the interviewee is the one with the authority to waive executive privilege, which would essentially give the Justice Department permission to release the recordings of himself.
—
Mike Levine, ABC News, 10 July 2024
To the contrary, although Trump suggested before the trial that Bannon was covered by executive privilege, an attorney for Trump at the time told Bannon’s lawyers the opposite.
—
Spencer S. Hsu, Washington Post, 28 June 2024
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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
Articles Related to executive privilege
Dictionary Entries Near executive privilege
Cite this Entry
“Executive privilege.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/executive%20privilege. Accessed 18 Aug. 2024.
Legal Definition
executive privilege
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