Another U.S. attorney in a tight spot.

From LA Times:

As lawmakers move to hold administration figures in contempt, Jeffrey Taylor would be the prosecutor -- pitted against his bosses.


WASHINGTON — For months, congressional investigators have been pursuing allegations that the Bush administration tried to influence cases handled by U.S. attorneys across the country in ways that would benefit the Republican Party. Now that investigation is near an impasse because the administration appears to be telling a U.S. attorney what to do.

The prosecutor, Jeffrey A. Taylor, is the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia. Under federal law, Taylor's office is required to pursue cases in which people are found to be in contempt of Congress.

With lawmakers on Capitol Hill moving toward holding in contempt past and present administration officials, including former White House Counsel Harriet E. Miers, for failing to cooperate in the probe into the firing of eight U.S. attorneys last year, Taylor could soon become a central figure in the drama. The White House and Justice Department are sending strong signals that they will bar anyone from prosecuting such a case.

Despite a federal statute referring to the U.S. attorney's duty to take contempt cases to the grand jury, they believe it would be impermissible under the law, and violate the doctrine of separation of powers under the Constitution.