The subpoenas, July 12 -- WASHINGTON - Federal agents knocked on the homes of four New York Times reporters Friday morning, handing each a subpoena ordering them to appear before a Manhattan grand jury and testify about their sources. The subpoenas arrived unannounced, without prior notice to the Times' lawyers, without negotiation, and without any attempt to obtain the information through less confrontational means. By Wednesday, four journalists who covered a politically sensitive story about the president's aircraft will be compelled to explain what they know - and who told them.

civil suits can produce settlements. A grand jury subpoena can produce a contempt citation, and after that, a jail cell.

The four reporters - Eric Schmitt, ...