executive privilege
[ɪɡˈzɛkjətɪv ˈprɪvɪlɪdʒ]
nounpl: executive privileges
privilégio executivo
1. A legal doctrine that allows the president or executive branch to withhold certain communications and documents from the public, Congress, or the courts in the interest of national security or proper governmental functioning
The president invoked executive privilege to prevent the disclosure of confidential conversations with advisors.
O presidente invocou o privilégio executivo para impedir a divulgação de conversas confidenciais com assessores.
2. The right of an executive official to maintain confidentiality of certain deliberations and communications within the executive branch
The administration claimed executive privilege over the internal memoranda.
A administração reivindicou privilégio executivo sobre os memorandos internos.
Executive privilege is a distinctly American constitutional concept rooted in the separation of powers doctrine established by the U.S. Constitution. It has been central to major political controversies, most notably during the Watergate scandal (1974). While the U.S. Supreme Court has recognized its validity, it is not absolute and must yield to judicial processes and congressional oversight in certain circumstances. In Brazil and Portugal, similar concepts exist but are framed differently within their respective constitutional frameworks, often referred to as 'sigilo funcional' (functional secrecy) or state privilege.
Related Idioms & Phrases
invoke executive privilege
claim executive privilege
assert executive privilege
shield documents under executive privilege
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