The Privilege Paradox: Executive Power and the Rule of Law The recent Justice Department opinion on executive privilege has sparked controversy in Washington, with some lawmakers accusing Attorney General Todd Blanche of overstepping his authority.
However, in a rare display of candor, Blanche pushed back against criticism, stating that executive privilege is not a novel concept – but rather a long standing aspect of the executive branch's authority.
Executive privilege has been used by every president since George Washington to shield sensitive communications from public scrutiny.