Senate panel subpoenas White House aide Rove

Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to the President Karl Rove is illuminated by reflected blue light while U.S. President George W. Bush speaks to the American Legislative Exchange Council at the Marriott Downtown in Philadelphia, July 26, 2007. The chairman of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee said on Thursday he had subpoenaed two more White House aides, including Rove, in the probe of fired federal prosecutors.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The chairman of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee said on Thursday he had subpoenaed two more White House aides, including political adviser Karl Rove, in the probe of fired federal prosecutors.

"This is not a step I take lightly," Sen. Patrick Leahy declared in a Senate speech.

It was yet another salvo in the ongoing dispute with the White House. Congress appears headed toward a court fight with President George W. Bush, who has claimed executive privilege in refusing to provide documents or testimony by current or former aides, now including Rove and deputy political director Jay Jennings.

"For over four months, I've exhausted every avenue, sought the voluntary cooperation of Karl Rove and J. Scott Jennings, but to no avail," Leahy said.