Domestic Spying Probe Reaches West Wing

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. (More Patrick Leahy stories.)