Executive Privilege Shouldn't Be A Frequent Thing | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Dear Congress, Executive Privilege Shouldn't Be A Frequent Thing

It blocks the truth from coming out.

262
Donald Trump

For those that aren't aware of what executive privilege is, by definition, it's the privilege, claimed by the president for the executive branch of the US government, of withholding information in the public interest. While it has been used with just about every President we have had, some of the cases in which it was used wasn't right and attempted to block the truth from coming out.

Since the power to withhold information is not absolute, the use of executive privilege has been common with past presidents, including the Ford, Carter, Reagan and Bush administrations. It has been used for various reasons including protection of the President and protection of documents.

While this action is seen as constitutional in Congress, I don't believe it should be used in certain cases. The Mueller report being one of them.

On Sunday's March 24 show of NBC's "Meet the Press," House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadley, refers to the Nixon administration and its wrongful use of executive privilege, as President Nixon was unable to hide his wrong-doings. Nixon had attempted to use executive privilege to protect himself and other advisors during the Watergate investigation, however, the Court decided to bring forward all requested documents, including the Watergate tapes, since they were an essential part of the investigation.

If executive privilege had been used with Nixon, the truth behind the scandal would have been unavailable to the public. Nadley said, "I mean, the president may try to assert it [executive privilege], may try to hide things behind it. But I don't think that's right or [will] be successful." He believes that if Trump is able to use the privilege it means he has power over the law, and the truth could be concealed from the public.

"The president must personally assert executive privilege. And I do not believe it exists here at all because, as we learned from the Nixon tapes case, executive privilege cannot hide — cannot be used to hide wrongdoing," Nadley said.

Since the Mueller investigation has already revealed wrongdoings by President Trump, there is a strong possibility of Trump also pushing for executive privilege. The investigation has indicted 12 Russian intelligence officers for computer-hacking conspiracies in which had a goal in meddling with the election, exposed a Russian online influence campaign and charged 34 people-including six former Trump aides-for conspiracy or lying to investigators. The fact that six former Trump aides were charged is a case for suspicion and shouldn't go unnoticed.

In a March 2019 poll conducted by CNN over telephone interviews regarding whether the investigators of the Mueller investigation should produce a full, public report on their findings, 87% believed the report should be made public, 9% believed it's unnecessary for the report to be made public and 4% had no opinion. The results show that most of the public agrees with making the full report public and not leaving any portions out.

The purpose of the media is to be watchdogs for the public. The purpose of journalists-my future career- is to tell the public what is going on in the society around them. Also, their purpose is to show the public what people are trying to cover or hide, with the possibility of uncovering corruption. The use of executive privilege takes away from the job of journalists, as they want the public to know about what is happening within their government. Regarding the Mueller report, at the end of the day if there is nothing for the Trump administration to hide, then why not release the full report? Now we wait and see.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Disney magic for New Year!

The "Happiest Place on Earth" has a lot of characters with some pretty great advice.

4808
Disney magic kingdom castle on new years
StableDiffusion

Disney movies are well known and very popular in today's world. Although many people appreciate the plot and the storyline, not many people appreciate the wisdom these characters possess. Every Disney movie has unique advice that can be applied to everyday life. Here are 11 Disney quotes to help start your New Year off right:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

40 Gift Ideas for the Indecisive

It's a time of love, family, memory-making, and gift-giving. But also a time of stressing over the perfect gift.

119146
Christmas gifts around a tree
StableDiffusion

It's officially December. There is less than a month of 2024, and I still feel like yesterday was summer. Now comes the merriest time of the year, the Christmas season.

Everyone has been waiting for this time of year since mid-October (which is way too early, in my opinion) or before. It's a time of love, family, memory-making, and gift-giving. A lot of times when I ask friends and family what they want, I get a lot of "I don't know" or "I don't care."

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Bucket List To Live In The Now

Find excitement in your life and start exploring wherever you are right here, right now.

1112
mu bucket list

I was sitting at my cubicle, now that I am an adult, looking at the rain pouring down on the windowsill, bumming on life, wishing for the rain to just stop for a full day.

There are moments where we count down the hours until work is over and how many more days till the weekend, and this many weeks until something exciting. Or something like that? Well, I was bumming because my next day off from work is not until Memorial Day weekend, which is not until the end of May. And since this is my first year out of college being a “real person,” I am totally missing the winter, spring and summer breaks. I am sure all of us have felt this way even if just for a hot minute…

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

11 Ways To Survive Finals As Told By Leslie Knope

Because you know you're going to be stressed out, and Leslie knows exactly how to survive.

797
Everything hurts and I'm dying

So finals are on their way. That's right everybody, finals are about to start.

But hey, don't panic. Start getting your affairs in order and prepare for a week of hell. Here's a few things Leslie Knope wants you to do to make your finals week just a little bit less stressful:

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

10 Signs You Go To Kent State

You know you're a true Kent Stater when...

873
Kent State University
Great Value Colleges

If you go to or went to Kent State, then more than likely you have done or will do some of these things.

1. You’ve slipped and fallen on the ice at least once.

The winters at Kent are brutal, and while the heated sidewalks and some great snow boots are always a help, there’s no chance you won’t bust it on the ice at least once in your four plus years at school.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments