John McCain: Senate Should Reject Gina Haspel Due To Torture Past

PHOENIX, AZ — Arizona U.S. Sen. John McCain is urging the Senate to reject Gina Haspel, President Donald Trump's pick to lead the Central Intelligence Agency, due to her previous involvement in torturing detainees and her refusal to acknowledge what he called its "immorality."

McCain, the Republican chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, announced his decision to oppose Haspel's nomination in a statement Wednesday, following Haspel's confirmation hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee.

"This occasion provided an opportunity to provide details about her experience in the CIA, explain her involvement in the so-called enhanced interrogation program during the Bush Administration, and account for the mistakes the country made in torturing detainees held in U.S. custody after the September 11th attacks," McCain said. "Unfortunately, the testimony the American people heard from Ms. Haspel today failed to address these concerns."

Haspel on Wednesday vowed not to "restart" any detention or interrogation programs. She said the agency "learned some tough lessons" and she doesn't believe torture works.

But McCain wasn't satisfied with her answers.

He says he understands what drove the CIA's decision to resort to so-called "enhanced interrogation methods" — such as waterboarding and dayslong sleep-deprivation techniques — but notes the methods to gain information have to be as "right and just" as the America's values.

"I believe Gina Haspel is a patriot who loves our country and has devoted her professional life to its service and defense," said McCain. "However, Ms. Haspel’s role in overseeing the use of torture by Americans is disturbing. Her refusal to acknowledge torture’s immorality is disqualifying. I believe the Senate should exercise its duty of advice and consent and reject this nomination."

McCain is currently in Arizona receiving treatment or brain cancer and is not expected to be present for the vote on Haspel's nomination.

He was captured during the Vietnam War, held as a prisoner of war and tortured. McCain has also vehemently opposed America's use of torture, including opposing Steven Bradbury's nomination for general counsel of the Department of Transportation over Bradbury's involvement in the so-called "torture memos," which attempted to provide legal justification for more than a dozen torture techniques, including waterboarding, which simulates a horrific drowning sensation.

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