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| Gina Haspel: Trump's CIA pick faces questions on torture record – live | Gina Haspel: Trump's CIA pick faces questions on torture record – live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Senator James Risch, a Republican of Idaho, spends the majority of his five minutes for questions praising Haspel and recalling meeting her in the field. | |
| "I will sleep better at night knowing you are directing these efforts," Sen. Risch tells Gina Haspel when pledging to support her nomination | |
| Why do senators charged with assessing and confirming senior officials use their question time to shower nominees with unrestrained praise? | |
| Warner: With the benefit of hindsight, do you believe the interrogation program was consistent with American values?” | |
| Haspel doesn’t answer directly and Warner follows up, pressing her to reveal her “moral code.” | |
| She responds again: “I would never, ever take CIA back to an interrogation program. First of all, CIA follows the law. We followed the law then, we follow the law today. I support the law. I wouldn’t support a change in the law.” | |
| Warner comes back – what would you do if the president asks you to do something you find “morally objectionable”? | |
| Haspel: “My moral compass is strong. I would not allow CIA to undertake activity that I thought was immoral even if it was technically legal. I would absolutely not permit it.” | |
| Warner: So you wouldn’t follow the president’s order? | |
| Haspel: “No, I believe that CIA must undertake activities that are consistent with American values.” | |
| Burr begins the round of questioning by asking Haspel to explain her role in the destruction of videotapes that depicted brutal interrogations. | |
| Haspel maintained that the decision to destroy the recordings was made by her boss at the time, Jose Rodriguez, who was the director of the agency’s clandestine service. | |
| “Mr Rodriguez has been very up front on a number of occasions publicly that he and he alone made the decision to destroy the tapes. I would also make it clear that I did not appear on the tapes as has been mischaracterized in the press.” | |
| She said a review found that there was no legal requirement to keep the tapes. She said multiple investigations concluded that she was not at fault and her actions and my decisions were consistent with my obligations as an agency officer. | |
| Haspel: “I have views on this issue and I want to be clear. Having served in that tumultuous time, I can offer you my personal commitment, clearly and without reservation, that under my leadership CIA will not restart such a detention and interrogation program.” | |
| Answers from Haspel to the intel committee's questions. Among them, "Published Writing and Speeches: none." Life in the shadows. https://t.co/UDbzss4Kud | |
| Haspel is now under oath and will deliver her prepared remarks. | |
| “I am here because I have been nominated to lead the extraordinary men and women at the Central Intelligence Agency –men and women who are our country’s silent warriors”. | |
| The career spy introduces herself to the committee as a Kentucky-raised military brat. “I don’t have any social media accounts, but otherwise I think you will find me to be a typical middle-class American.” | |
| After a globetrotting career as an undercover spy, very little is actually known about Haspel’s life. The CIA has declassified specific details about her life. | |
| Warner presses Haspel about how she would react if Trump pushed her to “carry out some morally questionable behavior that might seem to violate a law or treaty”. | Warner presses Haspel about how she would react if Trump pushed her to “carry out some morally questionable behavior that might seem to violate a law or treaty”. |
| How will you respond if a secret DOJ opinion authorizes such behavior and gives you a “get out of jail free” card? On that day, if you are ordered to take actions that are inconsistent with American values, will you say “yes” and follow orders? Will you keep Congress in the dark?” ... | How will you respond if a secret DOJ opinion authorizes such behavior and gives you a “get out of jail free” card? On that day, if you are ordered to take actions that are inconsistent with American values, will you say “yes” and follow orders? Will you keep Congress in the dark?” ... |
| This President seems incapable or unwilling to accept facts that might contradict his views or his policy preferences. Indeed, there have been those in the Administration – even some of the President’s own appointees – who have been attacked for telling a truth in public that contradicts the White House narrative. You simply cannot allow the prospects of such attacks to dissuade you in any way. | This President seems incapable or unwilling to accept facts that might contradict his views or his policy preferences. Indeed, there have been those in the Administration – even some of the President’s own appointees – who have been attacked for telling a truth in public that contradicts the White House narrative. You simply cannot allow the prospects of such attacks to dissuade you in any way. |
| Trump has said that torture and in particular, a technique known as waterboarding, “absolutely works”. He has also suggested that the US should “take out” the families of terrorists in order to win the fight against ISIS. | Trump has said that torture and in particular, a technique known as waterboarding, “absolutely works”. He has also suggested that the US should “take out” the families of terrorists in order to win the fight against ISIS. |
| Senator Mark Warner, the vice chair of the committee and a Democrat from Virginia, says in his opening remarks: | Senator Mark Warner, the vice chair of the committee and a Democrat from Virginia, says in his opening remarks: |
| Many people – and I include myself in that number – have questions about the message the Senate would be sending by confirming someone for this position who served as a supervisor in the Counter Terrorism Center during the time of the Rendition, Detention, and Interrogation program. | Many people – and I include myself in that number – have questions about the message the Senate would be sending by confirming someone for this position who served as a supervisor in the Counter Terrorism Center during the time of the Rendition, Detention, and Interrogation program. |
| Ms. Haspel has acknowledged the history of the program. She has stated that the law has changed and that the RDI program is no longer legal. She has committed to upholding the law. | Ms. Haspel has acknowledged the history of the program. She has stated that the law has changed and that the RDI program is no longer legal. She has committed to upholding the law. |
| I appreciate that, but it is not enough. The secrecy inherent in the CIA’s work demands that the Director honor and follow the law – particularly in the dark spaces where the IC often operates, and when the glaring light of public scrutiny is nonexistent. No one should get credit simply for agreeing to follow the law—that’s the very least we should expect from any nominee, and certainly from the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. | I appreciate that, but it is not enough. The secrecy inherent in the CIA’s work demands that the Director honor and follow the law – particularly in the dark spaces where the IC often operates, and when the glaring light of public scrutiny is nonexistent. No one should get credit simply for agreeing to follow the law—that’s the very least we should expect from any nominee, and certainly from the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. |
| Warner: "I expect you to look for reasons to read us in, rather than look for excuses to keep us out of the loop." | Warner: "I expect you to look for reasons to read us in, rather than look for excuses to keep us out of the loop." |
| Burr, a Republican from North Carolina, offers high praise for Haspel in his opening remarks: “You are without a doubt the most qualified person the President could have chosen to lead the CIA and the most prepared nominee in its 70 year history.” | Burr, a Republican from North Carolina, offers high praise for Haspel in his opening remarks: “You are without a doubt the most qualified person the President could have chosen to lead the CIA and the most prepared nominee in its 70 year history.” |
| He seeks to neutralize criticism about her record and background: | He seeks to neutralize criticism about her record and background: |
| “Some may seek to turn this hearing into a trial about a long-shuttered program. This hearing is not about programs already addressed by executive order, legislation, and the court of law. It’s about the woman seated in front of us.” | “Some may seek to turn this hearing into a trial about a long-shuttered program. This hearing is not about programs already addressed by executive order, legislation, and the court of law. It’s about the woman seated in front of us.” |
| “Those who have issues with programs or operations conducted years ago should address those concerns and their questions to presidents to former presidents, former directors, and former attorney generals. This hearing is about how you’ll lead the central intelligence agency into the future not how you’ve faithfully executed missions in the past.” | “Those who have issues with programs or operations conducted years ago should address those concerns and their questions to presidents to former presidents, former directors, and former attorney generals. This hearing is about how you’ll lead the central intelligence agency into the future not how you’ve faithfully executed missions in the past.” |
| Intelligence committee chairman Richard Burr opens the hearing with a stern warning to protesters: “I will not be lenient. If there are outbursts you will be cleared from the room and it will be done immediately. | Intelligence committee chairman Richard Burr opens the hearing with a stern warning to protesters: “I will not be lenient. If there are outbursts you will be cleared from the room and it will be done immediately. |
| “So,” Burr tells protesters who might plan to interrupt the hearing, “for the benefits of members and for the benefit of our witness, do it fast, do it early and be gone.” | “So,” Burr tells protesters who might plan to interrupt the hearing, “for the benefits of members and for the benefit of our witness, do it fast, do it early and be gone.” |
| Gina Haspel has arrived in 216 Hart for her confirmation hearing. She will be introduced by former members of the Senate Intelligence Committee Evan Bayh, a Democrat of Indiana, and Saxby Chambliss, Republican from Georgia and former vice chairman of the panel. | Gina Haspel has arrived in 216 Hart for her confirmation hearing. She will be introduced by former members of the Senate Intelligence Committee Evan Bayh, a Democrat of Indiana, and Saxby Chambliss, Republican from Georgia and former vice chairman of the panel. |
| Scenes from inside and outside the hearing room where Haspel is due to appear shortly. | Scenes from inside and outside the hearing room where Haspel is due to appear shortly. |
| Protestors are outside the Senate office building where Gina Haspel’s hearing is being held this morning pic.twitter.com/SNjixdwFkv | Protestors are outside the Senate office building where Gina Haspel’s hearing is being held this morning pic.twitter.com/SNjixdwFkv |
| At Senate intelligence committee hearing on Gina Haspel’s nomination for CIA director. At least eight protesters are in the public gallery. pic.twitter.com/i8IuXiMCKa | At Senate intelligence committee hearing on Gina Haspel’s nomination for CIA director. At least eight protesters are in the public gallery. pic.twitter.com/i8IuXiMCKa |
| Smith reports that the the Code Pink protestors chant: “Don’t reward torture! Don’t reward torture!” | Smith reports that the the Code Pink protestors chant: “Don’t reward torture! Don’t reward torture!” |
| “A US Capitol police officer replies: “You are all under arrest.” Scuffles break out as police start removing protesters.” | “A US Capitol police officer replies: “You are all under arrest.” Scuffles break out as police start removing protesters.” |
| Gina Haspel, Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Central Intelligence Agency, is set to appear before the Senate intelligence committee for her confirmation hearing at 9.30am in what is expected to be a public reckoning of a dark chapter in American history. | Gina Haspel, Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Central Intelligence Agency, is set to appear before the Senate intelligence committee for her confirmation hearing at 9.30am in what is expected to be a public reckoning of a dark chapter in American history. |
| Whether Haspel is confirmed is likely to depend on how well she responds to a battery of pointed questions from Senators who are demanding more details about her time overseeing a secret, post-9/11 detention site in Thailand where terror suspects were brutally interrogated using techniques widely condemned as torture. Senators will also ask her to explain her support for destroying videotapes that documented the interrogations of the inmates. | Whether Haspel is confirmed is likely to depend on how well she responds to a battery of pointed questions from Senators who are demanding more details about her time overseeing a secret, post-9/11 detention site in Thailand where terror suspects were brutally interrogated using techniques widely condemned as torture. Senators will also ask her to explain her support for destroying videotapes that documented the interrogations of the inmates. |
| In excerpts of prepared remarks released ahead of the hearing, Haspel planned to tell senators that she would not allow such a program to be re-started under her leadership. | In excerpts of prepared remarks released ahead of the hearing, Haspel planned to tell senators that she would not allow such a program to be re-started under her leadership. |
| I understand that what many people around the country want to know about are my views on CIA’s former detention and interrogation program. I have views on this issue, and I want to be clear. Having served in that tumultuous time, I can offer you my personal commitment, clearly and without reservation, that under my leadership CIA will not restart such a detention and interrogation program. | I understand that what many people around the country want to know about are my views on CIA’s former detention and interrogation program. I have views on this issue, and I want to be clear. Having served in that tumultuous time, I can offer you my personal commitment, clearly and without reservation, that under my leadership CIA will not restart such a detention and interrogation program. |
| Haspel, 61, is a 33-year veteran of the agency where she currently serves as the acting director. If confirmed, Haspel would be the first woman to lead the CIA, but her confirmation rests on a divided Senate. | Haspel, 61, is a 33-year veteran of the agency where she currently serves as the acting director. If confirmed, Haspel would be the first woman to lead the CIA, but her confirmation rests on a divided Senate. |
| Despite strong support from former top members of the intelligence community, her record has drawn fierce condemnation and on Wednesday more than 100 former US ambassadors who severed under Republican and Democratic administrations signed a letter opposing her nomination. | Despite strong support from former top members of the intelligence community, her record has drawn fierce condemnation and on Wednesday more than 100 former US ambassadors who severed under Republican and Democratic administrations signed a letter opposing her nomination. |
| Haspel is reported to have offered to withdraw her nomination, but was reassured by presidential aides that she had the admisnrtation’s full support. | Haspel is reported to have offered to withdraw her nomination, but was reassured by presidential aides that she had the admisnrtation’s full support. |
| The hearing is expected to be contentious and perhaps may yet hold a few surprises. The New York Times is reporting that Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the architect of the 9/11 attacks who was tortured by the CIA, has asked a military judge at Guantánamo Bay for permission to provide “six paragraphs” of information about Haspel with the committee. | The hearing is expected to be contentious and perhaps may yet hold a few surprises. The New York Times is reporting that Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the architect of the 9/11 attacks who was tortured by the CIA, has asked a military judge at Guantánamo Bay for permission to provide “six paragraphs” of information about Haspel with the committee. |
| The Guardian will follow the hearing live with oberservations from inside the hearing from Washington Bureau chief David Smith and analysis from world affairs editor Julian Borger. | The Guardian will follow the hearing live with oberservations from inside the hearing from Washington Bureau chief David Smith and analysis from world affairs editor Julian Borger. |
| To read more about what to expect from today’s hearing, Borger has the details here | To read more about what to expect from today’s hearing, Borger has the details here |
| And here’s more about the administration’s support for Haspel | And here’s more about the administration’s support for Haspel |
| And here’s a bit more background about the would-be first female boss of the CIA by Guardian reporter Amanda Holpuch | And here’s a bit more background about the would-be first female boss of the CIA by Guardian reporter Amanda Holpuch |
| And here’s opinion writer James Cavallaro on why Haspel is “perfect” for the job. | And here’s opinion writer James Cavallaro on why Haspel is “perfect” for the job. |