Executive Privilege
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Synopsis
Executive privilege is the right of the Executive Branch to operate independently of Congress. The first use of executive privilege was made by the Founding Father George Washington in 1796. Congress demanded documents relating to the Jay Treaty but George Washington refused the demand based on executive privilege.
Executive privilege continues to be used by modern presidents in resisting demands for information.
Sources
http://writ.news.findlaw.com/dorf/20020206.html http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,290112,00.html