In a landmark ruling, a federal judge said Thursday that White House advisers do not have automatic immunity from congressional subpoenas.

The decision is a blow to President Bush and his administration, which has constantly argued that executive privilege applies to conversations and communications by White House staffers.

Last year, the House Judiciary Committee had subpoenaed White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten and former counsel Harriet Miers about possible political pressure in the firing of nine U.S. attorneys.

The two refused to appear before the p...

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