Drones and harsh interrogations focus of CIA nominee hearing
- 11 years ago
John Brennan, U.S. President Barack Obama's nominee to head the CIA -- faces tough congressional questioning on waterboarding and the use of drones to kill U.S. terrorism suspects.
He acknowledged before the Senate Intelligence Committee that while he did not approve of waterboarding, he did not stop it.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) JOHN BRENNAN, CIA DIRECTOR NOMINEE, SAYING:
"I had expressed my personal objections and views to some agency colleagues" about waterboarding, a form of simulated drowning, nudity and other techniques, but I did not try to stop it, "
Democrats repeatedly questioned Brennan about the use of drones to kill U.S. citizens suspected of terrorist activity.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) JOHN BRENNAN, CIA DIRECTOR NOMINEE, SAYING:
"Any American, who joins al Qaeda, will know full well that they have joined an organization that is at war with the United States and has killed thousands upon thousands of individuals, many many of whom are Americans. So, I think any Americans who did that, should know well, that they are in fact part of an enemy against us, and the the United States will do everything possible to destroy that enemy to save American lives."
Brennan is expected to win confirmation from the Committee and later the full Senate.
He acknowledged before the Senate Intelligence Committee that while he did not approve of waterboarding, he did not stop it.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) JOHN BRENNAN, CIA DIRECTOR NOMINEE, SAYING:
"I had expressed my personal objections and views to some agency colleagues" about waterboarding, a form of simulated drowning, nudity and other techniques, but I did not try to stop it, "
Democrats repeatedly questioned Brennan about the use of drones to kill U.S. citizens suspected of terrorist activity.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) JOHN BRENNAN, CIA DIRECTOR NOMINEE, SAYING:
"Any American, who joins al Qaeda, will know full well that they have joined an organization that is at war with the United States and has killed thousands upon thousands of individuals, many many of whom are Americans. So, I think any Americans who did that, should know well, that they are in fact part of an enemy against us, and the the United States will do everything possible to destroy that enemy to save American lives."
Brennan is expected to win confirmation from the Committee and later the full Senate.