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Domestic Spying Probe Reaches West Wing

Frustrated Senate committee doles out subpoenas

By M. Morris,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 27, 2007 3:05 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Patrick Leahy came out swinging against the Bush administration's "sweeping assertions of secrecy and privilege" today, issuing subpoenas to the White House, Dick Cheney's office, the Justice Department, and the NSC. The documents demanded by the Senate Judiciary Committee relate to the warrantless wiretapping of terrorism suspects and the controversial approval of the program.

The committee's investigation has exposed serious disagreements within the DoJ, and the subpoenas represent at least the 10th attempt to secure documents relating to the program, Leahy said. Reuters reports that the administration could still challenge them by invoking executive privilege. "We're aware of the committee's action and will respond appropriately," said a White House spokesman.

President Bush, right, and Vice President Dick Cheney walk out of the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, April 3, 2007, prior to the president speaking about the congressional debate on Iraq war spending. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
President Bush, right, and Vice President Dick Cheney walk out of the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, April 3, 2007, prior to the president speaking about the congressional debate...   (Associated Press)
Vice President Cheney listens as President Bush, right, makes a statement about the war supplemental, Tuesday, April 3, 2007, in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Vice President Cheney listens as President Bush, right, makes a statement about the war supplemental, Tuesday, April 3, 2007, in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)   (Associated Press)
President Bush, right, and Vice President Dick Cheney, center, meet with members of Congress, Wednesday, June 20, 2007, in the Oval Office at the White House. Rep. Jerry Lewis, R-Calif. is at left. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)
President Bush, right, and Vice President Dick Cheney, center, meet with members of Congress, Wednesday, June 20, 2007, in the Oval Office at the White House. Rep. Jerry Lewis, R-Calif. is at left. (AP...   (Associated Press)
President Bush, right, and Vice President Dick Cheney, meet with Vietnamese democracy and human rights activists, not shown, Tuesday, May 29, 2007, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
President Bush, right, and Vice President Dick Cheney, meet with Vietnamese democracy and human rights activists, not shown, Tuesday, May 29, 2007, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington....   (Associated Press)
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Related links

More on the roots of the probe and the implications for the AG
Associated Press

More details about the documents in question
The Hill

 
Bush administration • Dick Cheney • Department of Justice • Senate • White House • Patrick Leahy • executive privilege • Judiciary Committee • subpoena • secrecy • NSC • warrantless wiretapping

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