Agents operating a controversial National Security Agency surveillance program may have snooped on the emails and phone calls of Americans with no ties to terrorists, admitted Attorney General Alberto Gonzales earlier this week, reports CNET. The admission came during the first of likely several public hearings before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee. Support for the eavesdropping program appeared split along party lines during the hearing.

Several Republicans said they generally supported the effort. Others, including Dem. Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont, said the secret surveillance program is unauthorized.

The Bush administration has repeatedly said the program, implemented without court approval, monitors only communications in which at least one party is located outside the U.S. and is a suspected member or agent of al-Qaida or groups associated with terrorists.

Gonzales said he was unable to give "absolute assurance" that no one is being eavesdropped on in the U.S. other than such individuals.