Fox News hosts use Sydney siege to defend CIA
Host claimed CIA are just ‘trying to do their job and keep America safe’
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.Fox News has plunged itself into the centre of controversy once again for referencing the Sydney siege in an apparent justification for the CIA’s use of “enhanced interrogation”.
In a discussion with Fox & Friends co-hosts Brian Kilmeade and Steve Doocy during a segment on the 16-hour siege, Elizabeth Hasselbeck used the hostage situation to defend the CIA after it was widely condemned for enhanced interrogation techniques revealed in the so-called 'torture report'.
The report by the United States Senate found methods including ‘rectal feeding’ were used on terror suspects.
"Meanwhile, the actual individuals here at home who have been looking into and trying to stop attacks like this and perhaps future hostage situations, as we are still at war indeed with Isis and terrorism, are the CIA, and they have been painted as the bad guys at home,” Hasselbeck said.
The show then included a clip of former Vice President Dick Cheney defending the techniques during an interview with NBC News.
Mr Cheney has already made his views on the report clear, telling Fox News it was “full of crap” shortly after its publication.
Her co-host Kilmeade said after the clip was shown: “Look at the CIA. If they thought the methods were to be nice and be friendly in order to get the maximum amount of information as quickly as possible, that’s what they would have done. I think people are acting as if we were out of our minds and the CIA was just sitting there and trying to get an eye-for-an-eye.”
Hasselbeck added: “When you see what’s happening in Australia, today, right now, in a chocolate shop, and you understand the real war with Isis that we’re in, and the sharp contrast with the accusations of the CIA really just trying to do their job and keep America safe for the past 13 years, it startles you, any day.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments