Iowa governor's office claims executive privilege to shield four staff emails

The Iowa Office of the Governor and the Des Moines Register appeared before Polk County Judge Jason Walke to determine whether executive privilege can keep four internal emails from public disclosure. Assistant Attorney General Chad D. Brakhahn referenced a recent Iowa Supreme Court ruling that granted legislative privilege to lawmakers, arguing the same principle should extend to the governor’s staff to ensure candid counsel.

Register attorney Susan P. Elgin countered that Iowa courts have never recognized executive privilege for the governor and that the emails concern media preparation, not policy deliberations. Both parties acknowledged the governor was not a recipient or author of the messages, and the plaintiff is the office itself, not Governor Kim Reynolds personally. The judge reviewed the emails, labeled them “media prep,” and postponed a ruling, hinting the case will likely proceed to the Iowa Supreme Court.