McCain writes to CIA director nominee about role in interrogation

PHOENIX — Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) wrote a letter to the new CIA director nominee, Gina Haspel, and asked her to explain her role in the so-called “enhanced interrogation techniques.”

In the letter, McCain listed a number of techniques she has been connected with during her time in the CIA, including waterboarding, cramped confinement, forced nudity and humiliation, sleep deprivation and many more.

“We now know that these techniques not only failed to deliver actionable intelligence, but actually produced false and misleading information,” McCain wrote.

“Most importantly, the use of torture compromised our values, stained our national honor, and threatened our historical reputation.” 

McCain asked her to provide a detailed account of her role in the interrogation program between 2001 and 2009 while she was deployed abroad at “black sites.”

He asked Haspel if she destroyed or directed the destruction of any evidence of the torture or interrogation techniques.

Haspel joined the CIA in 1985 and has been the chief at station in several CIA outposts abroad.

She has had several leadership positions in Washington D.C., including deputy director of the National Clandestine Service and deputy director of the National Clandestine Service for Foreign Intelligence and Covert Action.

She was nominated for the CIA director on March 13 after President Donald Trump fired Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and moved then current CIA Director Mike Pompeo to fill Tillerson’s role.

If nominated, Haspel would be the first female director of the agency.

McCain has been resting in Arizona as he receives treatment for an aggressive form of brain cancer he was diagnosed with in July.