Executive Privilege
The right of the president to maintain confidential communications within the executive branch
Real World Example
During the Crisis in Confidence from 1968-1980, executive privilege was a major topic during the Watergate scandal when President Nixon used it to withhold information. He claimed it was necessary to protect sensitive communications, but the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against him, leading to his resignation. This showed how executive privilege could be used to hide wrongdoing, raising questions about government transparency and accountability. Today, this concept still matters because it balances national security and the public's right to know. For example, if a current president uses executive privilege too broadly, it could hide important information about decisions affecting healthcare or education, impacting everyday lives.
Practice Version
