Story perspectives

Trump Pushes Executive Privilege Expansion to Private Advisers

8/11/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump is seeking to expand executive privilege to cover private advisers in a Justice Department memo.
Assistant Attorney General T. Elliot Gaiser of the DOJ Office of Legal Counsel authored the memo.
It says privilege applies to confidential communications that relate to official decisions and involve the President or direct advisers.
Legal experts warn the move could spark constitutional battles and let Boris Epshteyn avoid testimony.

1 of 1

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump is seeking to expand executive privilege to cover private advisers in a Justice Department memo.
Assistant Attorney General T. Elliot Gaiser of the DOJ Office of Legal Counsel authored the memo.
It says privilege applies to confidential communications that relate to official decisions and involve the President or direct advisers.
Legal experts warn the move could spark constitutional battles and let Boris Epshteyn avoid testimony.