Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

December 2, 2008 10:26:43 AM CST

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Waterboarding Is Illegal: Justice Dept.

Posted Feb 14, 08 8:18 AM CST in US,  Politics 

(Newser) – A top Justice Department official will declare to a House subcommittee today that waterboarding is no longer legal—a day after Congress defied President Bush's veto threat to explicitly outlaw the controversial interrogation tactic. "The set of interrogation methods authorized for current use is narrower than before, and it does not today include waterboarding," says testimony prepared by Stephen Bradbury, acting head of the Office of Legal Counsel.

Bradbury's comments, the agency's first such statement on the hot-button topic, follow CIA revelations that agents waterboarded three prisoners. In 2005 Bradbury authorized the CIA to use waterboarding, but the Detainee Treatment Act of 2005 prohibited cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, and the military forbade the practice in 2006. Waterboarding is still officially an option for the CIA but must be approved by the president and attorney general.  

Sources Associated Press, Reuters

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • Secret White House Memos OK'd Waterboarding

    Oct 15, 08 7:17 AM CDT
    Secret White House Memos OK'd Waterboarding The Bush administration gave its blessing in writing for the CIA to use waterboarding and other harsh interrogation techniques in two secret memos that have only now come to light, the Washington Post reveals. Intelligence officials sought to get something on paper in 2003—more than a year after the secret interrogation of al-Qaeda suspects began—to cover their backs in the event of public criticism, according to security sources.
    More »

  • Bush Vetoes Ban on Waterboarding

    Mar 8, 08 9:49 AM CST
    Bush Vetoes Ban on Waterboarding President Bush today vetoed a bill that would have prevented the CIA from using harsh interrogation techniques such as waterboarding, the New York Times reports. "We need to ensure our intelligence officials have all the tools they need to stop the terrorists,” the president said. Democrats do not have the votes to override the veto. More »

  • DOJ Probes Itself Over Torture Memos

    Feb 22, 08 8:15 PM CST
    DOJ Probes Itself Over Torture Memos The Department of Justice is probing its own legal approval of waterboarding for the CIA, the New York Times reports. DOJ ethics chief H. Marshall Jarrett confirmed today that his office is conducting the first public inquiry of the 5-year-old advice and may issue a non-classified report when it is ready. More »

  • Is He Against Torture?

    Feb 19, 08 6:45 PM CST
    Is He Against Torture? The LA Times editorial board today slammed John McCain for a vote the paper feels undermines the senator’s “admirable” opposition to torture in interrogations. McCain, whom the Times endorsed earlier this month, voted against legislation that forbids CIA interrogators from using waterboarding or other methods banned by the Army Field Manual. The law passed the House and the Senate, but now faces the Bush veto—something the Times thinks the GOP frontrunner’s support could’ve mitigated. More »

  • Bush Rips Congress on Waterboarding Ban

    Feb 15, 08 7:09 AM CST
    Bush Rips Congress on Waterboarding Ban President Bush blasted the congressional move to ban waterboarding last night, suggesting that relatives of London bombing victims would understand the need for such interrogation techniques. Victims' families "understand the nature of killers," he told the BBC. He said lawmakers "are imposing a set of standards in terms of interrogating prisoners that our people think will be ineffective." More »

Demonstrators from the group "World Can't Wait" hold a mock waterboarding to protest the CIA's use of the interrogation practice.   (Getty Images (by Event) Individuals)
CIA Director Lt. Gen. Michael Hayden testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008. The Senate has joined the House in voting to prohibit the CIA from using waterboarding and other harsh...   (Associated Press)
Attorney General Michael Mukasey is sworn-in on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008.   (Associated Press)
Anti-Mukasey Protestors Hold Demonstration Of "Waterboarding"   (Getty Images)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

Threads (
1
 of 4)

Tags

George W. Bush • Congress • Senate • CIA • Department of Justice • torture • waterboarding • Chuck Hagel • Michael Hayden • Steven Bradbury


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Other Politics Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser a team of editors and writers culls the most important stories from hundreds of U.S. and international sources and reduces them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. It's the Newser guarantee: we can take any report or column or video and pack what you need to know into 120 words or less. Newser's short-form aggregation, visual format, and unique information tools help you get more of the kind of news you want, in a quicker and more entertaining way. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »