Obama Visits CIA to Defend Memo Release

Days after releasing top-secret memos that detailed the CIA's use of simulated drowning while interrogating terror suspects, President Obama went to the spy agency's Virginia headquarters today to defend his decision and bolster the morale of its employees. "I acted primarily because of the exceptional circumstances that surrounded these memos, particularly the fact that so much of the information was public," Obama said.

A round of cheers erupted when CIA Director Leon Panetta introduced Obama, who quickly reassured them that they had his backing. "I know the last few days have been difficult," he said. "You need to know you've got my full support." Acknowledging that former CIA directors and several senior agency officials opposed the release of the memos, Obama said,
"You don't get credit when things go good, but you sure get some blame when things don't."
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