From Bill Mears – CNN Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON (CNN) — Whether for treaties, treason, political cover-up, extramarital sex, energy panels or U.S. attorneys, the legal claim of executive privilege has been invoked often in American politics over the past two centuries.
In some circumstances, executive privilege allows the president and other executive branch officials to avoid giving certain kinds of information, records or testimony to Congress, courts, or private parties.
“Congress has the power of the subpoena, and if they issue them (subpoenas) seeking to put officials under oath, then the president can claim executive privilege,” said Edward Lazarus, a legal analyst and author of a book on the Supreme Court, “Closed Chambers.”