Transparency

Trump Administration Claims Executive Privilege Over White House Conversations With Private Advisers 

Transparency advocates say it's the latest attempt to hide more of the executive branch's business from the public and congressional investigations.

C.J. Ciaramella | 8.12.2026 3:16 PM

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(Illustration: Department of Justice/Daniel Torok/White House/Newscom)

The Justice Department Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) released a memo Monday extending the president's "executive privilege" to claim confidentiality over White House communications with private advisers.

The memo says the White House can withhold "communications with private advisers so long as the communications relate to official presidential decisionmaking, involve or reflect communications with the President or his direct advisers."

The new policy would frustrate congressional Democrats' attempts to investigate the White House if they win back the House in the 2026 midterm elections, which they are favored to do.

The memo also alarmed government watchdog and transparency groups.

"This is the latest attempt by this administration to reduce........

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