Top Dems to Mattis, Pompeo: Oppose return to torture

Five top Democrats sent a letter on Friday to Defense Secretary James Mattis and CIA Director Mike Pompeo noting they are "deeply concerned" about reports of a forthcoming executive order. 

 

"Those reports, as well as comments by the President, have created alarm that this administration may be preparing a return to policies and practices that are ineffective, contrary to our national values, and damaging to our national security," the senators wrote in the letter. 

 

Multiple reports surfaced late last month about a draft executive order that would revoke a series of Obama administration rules that closed CIA "black sites," granted Red Cross access to all detainees and limited interrogators to techniques approved in the Army Field Manual. 

 

The Democrats blasted the potential moves on Friday, saying they would be a "boon to terrorist groups, helping their propaganda and recruitment efforts."

 

"Moreover, these practices frayed our relations with key allies, some of whom have faced legal liability before their own or international courts," they added. "Similarly, these practices put our own forces and personnel at risk of legal liability." 

 

White House press secretary Sean Spicer noted at the the time that the document wasn't from the White House, adding, “I have no idea where it came from."

 

Trump also said during a joint press conference with British Prime Minister Theresa May that while he supported torture, he would defer to Mattis, who he said would be able to "override" him. 

 

Democratic Sens. Mark WarnerMark Robert WarnerLiberal Senate Democrat shields Trump from trade blowback Hillicon Valley: Justices uphold Trump travel ban | Tech's response | Accused NSA leaker enters guilty plea | Dems press for more info on OPM breach | Senators press Trump to uphold ZTE ban | New hacking threat to satellites On The Money: Harley-Davidson decision raises trade tensions with Trump | Senate panel to take up tariff legislation | CBO projects grim budget outlook under Trump | White House objects to measure on reinstating ZTE ban MORE (Va.), Dianne FeinsteinDianne Emiel FeinsteinFeinstein: Senate should follow 'McConnell standard,' wait to vote on Supreme Court justice Trump, Congress have options on the table to prevent family separation Terry Crews testifies before the Senate Judiciary on sexual assault bill MORE (Calif.), Ben CardinBenjamin (Ben) Louis CardinCardin wins crowded Senate primary Trump looks to make more history, this time with Putin Community development impact remains clear with NMTC post-tax reform MORE (Md.), Jack ReedJohn (Jack) Francis ReedOvernight Defense: States pull National Guard troops over family separation policy | Senators question pick for Afghan commander | US leaves UN Human Rights Council Senators question Afghanistan commander nominee on turning around 17-year war Reed: ‘Preposterous’ for Trump to say North Korea is no longer a nuclear threat MORE (R.I.) and Patrick LeahyPatrick Joseph LeahySenate passes first 2019 funding bill Overnight Defense: Defense spending bill amendments target hot-button issues | Space Force already facing hurdles | Senators voice 'deep' concerns at using military lawyers on immigration cases Senators 'deeply troubled' military lawyers being used for immigration cases MORE (Vt.) — the top Democrats on the Intelligence, Judiciary, Foreign Relations, Armed Services and Appropriations committees, respectively — signed Friday's letter.