NEW YORK, NY August 30, 2006 —Two New Jersey lawyers want to subpoena the White House about who authorized the domestic surveillance program and when it began.

Attorney Bruce Afran says they are also suing several phone companies, because, they say, they violated privacy laws by turning the phone records over to the National Security Agency.

AFRAN: These subpoenas seek the evidence that the president has been keeping from the public and we are looking to protect the right of American phone subscribers by forcing the government to acknowledge and admit its program.

REPORTER: The White House and the phone company Verizon have not been available for comment. The President has said the wiretapping program is necessary for national security and was authorized by Congress.