White House subpoenas in attorneys probe

WASHINGTON, June 13 (UPI) -- Subpoenas were issued Wednesday to two former White House employees in connection with the congressional probe of the firing of U.S. attorneys.

The Senate Judiciary Committee issued one for former White House political director Sara Taylor, while the House Judiciary Committee subpoenaed former White House Counsel Harriet Miers, CNN reported.

The committees are investigating whether the firings of eight U.S. attorneys last year were politically motivated and possible White House involvement.

Tuesday, e-mail turned over to the committees indicated that aides to presidential adviser Karl Rove and Miers were actively involved in shaping a response to the uproar that resulted from the firings, The Washington Post reported.

White House spokesman Tony Fratto said there was much ado about nothing involving staff exchanges.

"If you're talking about presidential appointees, it's perfectly natural that staff be involved in those discussions," Fratto said. "This is more proof there was no wrongdoing in the effort to replace those U.S. attorneys."

Taylor resigned from her White House job two weeks ago and Miers quit in January.