In re Grand Jury Subpoena, Judith Miller

After President Bush's State of the Union claim about Iraqi uranium-seeking was publicly disputed by former Ambassador Joseph Wilson, columnist Robert Novak revealed that senior officials had identified Wilson's wife, Valerie Plame, as a CIA agent — prompting a DOJ investigation into the unauthorized disclosure. Special Counsel Patrick Fitzgerald subpoenaed reporters Judith Miller and Matthew Cooper, who had covered the controversy; both refused to testify, claiming a reporter's privilege under the First Amendment or common law, and the district court held them in contempt.