Feinstein to Obama: Torture Prosecutions Should Still Be on the Table

Posted by Amanda Terkel, Think Progress at 9:22 AM on April 21, 2009.

In recent days, President Obama has reiterated his pledge to oppose prosecutions of individuals responsible for torture under the Bush administration. However, Senate Intelligence Committee Chair Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) yesterday wrote to the President and asked him to keep the door open to prosecutions. From the text of the letter, obtained by ThinkProgress:

I am writing to respectfully request that comments regarding holding individuals accountable for detention and interrogation related activities be held in reserve until the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence is able to complete its review of the conditions and interrogations of certain high value detainees.

This study is now underway, and I estimate its completion within the next six to eight months. A study of the first two detainees has already been completed and will shortly be before the committee.

Please join our campaign calling on Congress to begin impeachment hearings against Jay Bybee.

Tagged as: torture, obama, feinstein

Amanda Terkel is Deputy Research Director at the Center for American Progress and serves as Deputy Editor for The Progress Report and ThinkProgress.org at the Center for American Progress.