POLS 1113 Lecture Notes - Lecture 25: The Burglars, Whistleblower, Executive Privilege
Document Summary
Executive privilege: the doctrine that the president has the authority to withhold information from other branches of government, including the courts. By extension, executive privilege implies that presidents are not subject to certain legal proceedings. The judicial branch cannot interfere with the executive branch. Impeachment and removal from office is the only remedy for president accused of wrongdoing. If the president is equal to the courts and congress, only the president can determine the extent of executive privilege: health and safety of the country. Lawsuits could distract the president and endanger the country. This might cause advisers to be less than candid with the president. Political opponents could harass or embarrass the president. Arguments against: the country has a government of laws, not people. The president cannot be above the law. Presidents could hide their actions behind executive privilege. Privilege implies that the president can do no wrong: constitutional basis for executive privilege.
