Bush Reiterates: US Doesn’t 'Torture People'

Faced with newly disclosed Justice Department memos, President Bush once again denied the US tortures detainees, saying today that interrogation techniques save American lives, comply with “international obligations” and are fully disclosed to “appropriate members” of Congress. He said of detainees, “you bet we are going to question them.”

The New York Times reported yesterday that the documents condoned head slapping, simulated drowning, and more. The controversy that could complicate the confirmation of the attorney general nominee, the Washington Post says, because the same Senate committee that Bush claims to have briefed adequately is knocking on the door for more information. But the president says he’s already provided enough information. (More torture stories.)