Reynolds sues Register over email requests

DES MOINES— Governor Kim Reynolds has filed a lawsuit against the Des Moines Register to protect the use of executive privilege for all Iowa governors past, present, and future. 

“It is in the public’s interest that governors can receive candid advice from their closest advisors,” said Mason Mauro, spokesperson for Gov. Reynolds. “We are confident that the judicial branch will recognize that governors have a constitutional executive privilege in Iowa, just as they recognized a legislative privilege last year, and have used a deliberative privilege to protect the communications of Iowa Supreme Court justices.” 

Executive privilege allows a chief executive to receive confidential communications and work product from their closest advisors. This is a constitutional privilege that has been recognized by the United States Supreme Court and numerous state supreme courts across the country. Executive privilege has been used by every president, including George Washington. Following the adoption of Iowa’s public record laws, it has been used by both republican and democrat governors alike, making it a nonpartisan issue that is well recognized. It is unfortunate that state resources must be used to defend against the Register’s aggressive threats, but it is in the broader public interest to preserve the powers reserved in our constitution for the effective operation of government. 
Reynolds filed the suit on Friday in Polk County District court after the Register had requested documents over what she claims are "overly intrusive records requests".
Iowa's open records laws don't specifically provide for executive privilege for the governor.
The Register wanted copies of emails from senior advisers with respect to the Lutheran Family Services. During Washington D.C. testimony on Feb. 5 regarding the services agency, Reynolds was questioned on whether she believed the agency was involved in illegal money laundering services, but declined to answer. The Register then sought records relating to emails shared by senior officials in Reynolds administration.