Why was president john adams disliked

Although he eventually achieved peace with France, the unofficial naval war (Quasi-War) with France made Adams extremely unpopular and largely secured his defeat in seeking election for a second term. He was also disliked for the Alien & Sedition Acts passed by Congress (four separate bills, three of which were repealed during Jefferson's administration); one in particular infringed on the First Amendment freedom of speech rights.

The principle that george w. bush used to keep white house communications confidential would be executive privilege. but i maybe wrong : )