Several Journalists And News Media Outlets Issued Subpoenas By Lewis Scooter Libby's Defense Team
BLITZER: Welcome back. Right now, several journalists and news media outlets have been issued subpoenas by Lewis Scooter Libby's defense team. The former Cheney chief of staff is fighting charges he lied to authorities investigating the leak of a CIA operative's identity. CNN has confirmed, subpoenas were sent to "The New York Times," its former reporter Judith Miller, NBC Washington bureau chief Tim Russert, and "TIME" magazine reporter Matt Cooper. One of Libby's lawyers confirms to CNN they're trying to learn which reporters knew of Valerie Plame's identity and when they knew it. A source with knowledge of the subpoena says Libby's team also is seeking notes and documents regarding Judith Miller from "The New York Times" columnist Nicholas Kristof. Judith Miller's attorney, Robert Bennett, tells CNN, the subpoenas seek even more information than prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald wanted. Bennett calls the move, in his words, a fishing expedition. Also, there's a new development unfolding for the government -- for a government lawyer accused of improperly contacting witnesses in the trial of al Qaeda conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui. Carla Martin now is on administrative leave. Let's go to our justice correspondent Kelli Arena. She's following the story. She has got some new developments for us. Kelli, what are you learning?</s>KELLI ARENA, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, Carla Martin hasn't responded yet to the charges against her, but we were able to speak to her lawyer today. Exclusively, CNN was able to get an interview with him, former prosecutor Roscoe Howard. I asked him what his reaction was to her being called a miscreant by prosecutors. Here's what he had to say, Wolf.</s>ROSCOE HOWARD, ATTORNEY FOR CARLA MARTIN: It was offensive. I just thought those kind of comments are just irresponsible, absolutely irresponsible. And I think that, after there is a hearing, we will demonstrate why they're irresponsible. But she was called a lot of names. They have used an awful lot of terms in a lot of their filings that, quite frankly, I just find unprofessional. But we will have a chance to answer to it. And, at a certain point, when that -- you know, when the accusations and the vilification just sort of piles up, there is really a time when -- you know, when, as her attorney, I just felt I needed to step up, ask people to understand that there is another side.</s>ARENA: At this point, Howard is not prepared to present that other side and says that he will only do that in court. Carla Martin could be facing criminal charges for her conduct. As you said, Wolf, she's currently on administrative leave, with pay. To remind our viewers, Martin is accused of mishandling witnesses who were supposed to testify in the Moussaoui trial. And she's also accused of lying to the defense by saying that other aviation experts wouldn't talk to them. Because of her actions, the judge barred all aviation experts from testifying, which gutted roughly half the government's argument for sentencing Moussaoui to death. And prosecutors filed a motion asking the judge to reconsider. Moussaoui's defense team is, right now, Wolf, putting the finishing touches on their response. We will see where we go from here.</s>BLITZER: Thanks very much, Kelli, for that -- Kelli Arena reporting. Let go right to the White House. Our Suzanne Malveaux is standing by with word of a new Cabinet member, at least potentially -- Suzanne.</s>SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, that announcement will officially come in about an hour or so in the Oval Office. President Bush will announce the replacement of his interior secretary. We have learned from two Republican sources it is Governor Dirk Kempthorne from Idaho, a two-term governor. He also served six years in the Senate -- these Republicans sources telling me that this is a logical choice for the president, that they are very comfortable with one another, and he has the kind of background that the president is looking for, some of his pet projects including an immunization registry that he basically established for his state. He has also worked very closely in dealing with a lot of those wildfires, forest fires that happened back in 2000 -- this, of course, following the resignation of Gale Norton. She made that announcement on Friday. It was a turbulent reign for her, her five years with the Bush administration, including a scandal with the Indian gaming licenses, as well as that Arctic National Wildlife Refuge drilling controversy with Congress that never really gained much appetite, when it came to members of Congress on the Hill -- but, again, that announcement coming in about an or so. Governor Rick Kemp -- Dirk Kempthorne is the president's pick -- Wolf.</s>BLITZER: Suzanne, thanks very much for that. And coming up here in THE SITUATION ROOM, much more on our top story -- U.S. troops and Iraqi forces, they're on the move in Iraq right now. We are going to go live to Baghdad and to the Pentagon for the latest developments on what's called Operation Swarmer. Plus, Jessica Simpson on Capitol Hill? We are going to tell you why the pop star was making the rounds with lawmakers today. Stay with us. You're in THE SITUATION ROOM.