Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Barack Obama admits: The CIA 'tortured some folks after 9/11'

Barack Obama was speaking ahead of a Senate report that will criticise the CIA

Lewis Smith
Saturday 02 August 2014 08:04 EDT
Comments
President Obama was speaking ahead of the expected release of a Senate report that criticises the CIA’s treatment of captives
President Obama was speaking ahead of the expected release of a Senate report that criticises the CIA’s treatment of captives (Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

President Barack Obama acknowledged on Friday that the US was guilty of torturing captives after the 11 September Twin Towers attack in 2001. “We tortured some folks,” he admitted, “We did some things that were contrary to our values.”

In 2009 he described waterboarding, a favourite CIA technique, as torture and “a mistake” and he banned its use by American operatives, but last night’s comments are the most emphatic admission.

CIA supporters have claimed the so-called “enhanced interrogation techniques” saved American lives and many do not regard the methods as torture.

President Obama, speaking ahead of the expected release of a Senate report that criticises the CIA’s treatment of captives, steered clear of commenting on the efficacy of torture. He added that he believed the mistreatment occurred because of pressure security officials felt to prevent another attack. He said Americans should not be too “sanctimonious,” about passing judgment through the lens of a seemingly safer present.

He also expressed confidence in his CIA director, John Brennan, in the wake of an internal CIA report documenting that the spy agency improperly accessed Senate computers. There have been calls for his resignation by congressional lawmakers.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in