Sara Taylor's lawyer says she's a pawn

July 8, 2007

Washington, DC - The lawyer for former White House political director Sara Taylor -- who has been subpoenaed to testify before the senate this week about the firing of several U.S. attorneys -- sent a letter to Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vermont, asking that she not be used as "the focus of the constitutional struggle."

The lawyer for former White House political director Sara Taylor -- who has been subpoenaed to testify before the senate this week about the firing of several U.S. attorneys -- sent a letter to Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vermont, asking that she not be used as the focus of the constitutional struggle.

The former White House staffer is asking for compassion from the Senate Judiciary Committee in what may be another constitutional standoff between the legislative and executive branches, while the committee's Democratic chairman is sharpening his words.

"In our view, it is unfair to Ms. Taylor that this constitutional struggle might be played out with her as the object of an unseemly tug of war," wrote lawyer Neil Eggleston. He said that Taylor has done nothing wrong and would testify "without hesitation" if not for an expected order from the White House -- where she worked until six weeks ago -- that she not comply the subpoena.

Eggleston urged senators to focus any punitive action against the White House, not his client. He said Taylor was caught in a "monumental clash between the executive and legislative branches of government" that could ultimately be decided in the courts.

Sen. Leahy continued to press for Taylor's testimony and he fired away at the White House for what he called interference on the committee's investigation. "I hope the White House stops this stonewalling and accepts my offer to negotiate a workable solution to the Committee's oversight requests," he said in a written statement.

White House has publicly announced it would assert executive privilege in the case, directing Taylor and former White House counsel Harriet Miers, who also was subpoenaed, not to comply with the Senate's subpoenas.

White House spokeswoman Jeanie Mamo issued a response Saturday to Leahy. "Senator Leahy is seeking testimony related to Sara Taylor's duties as an aide to the President. The President is entitled to candid, confidential advice from his aides without the threat of compelled testimony from Congress," Mamo said.