Executive privilege is the right of the President of the United States and other executive branch officials to withhold certain confidential communications from the legislative and judicial branches under specific circumstances. This privilege is intended to protect sensitive information and ensure candid discussions within the executive branch, allowing the President and advisors to deliberate freely without fear that their communications will be publicly disclosed
. The U.S. Constitution does not explicitly mention executive privilege; rather, it is an implied power derived from the constitutional principle of separation of powers, which allows each branch of government to operate independently within its sphere
. The privilege is typically invoked to protect national security, military affairs, foreign relations, and internal executive deliberations
. The Supreme Court has recognized executive privilege but ruled that it is not absolute. In the landmark case United States v. Nixon (1974), the Court held that executive privilege could be overridden when the information is essential to the justice of a criminal case, thus limiting the President’s ability to withhold evidence in judicial proceedings
. There are different types of executive privilege, including the "presidential communications privilege," which protects direct communications involving the President, and the "deliberative process privilege," which protects internal advisory discussions but is generally easier to overcome
. In summary, executive privilege is a qualified right that balances the need for confidentiality in executive decision-making with the need for transparency and accountability in government
