Sen. John Thune: Torture Is Banned As 'A Matter Of Settled Law'

[DonViejo]

Source: Talking Points Memo

By LAUREN FOX Published JANUARY 25, 2017, 2:34 PM EDT

PHILADELPHIA – President Donald Trump can't bring back torture even if he wanted to, Sen. John Thune (R-SD) told reporters during the Republican retreat Wednesday.

The Associated Press reported Wednesday on a draft executive order calling for the Trump administration to re-examine opening CIA black sites, reigniting a debate about "enhanced interrogation" techniques used under the Bush administration. Thune said Trump cannot make that call without Congress playing a role.

"Those issues are settled law. Congress has spoken," Thune said. "When it comes to enhanced interrogation techniques and that sort of things, my understanding is–I haven't seen the new executive action and what's being proposed– but my understanding is that they're going to examine some of those issues, but with regard to torture, that's banned. The Army Field Manuel makes that very clear."

Already Wednesday, Sen John McCain(R-AZ), a torture survivor himself, came out vehemently against the draft executive action.

Read more: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/sen-john-thune-torture-is-banned-its-a-matter-of-settled-law

[sakabatou]

1. How much you wanna bet that Trump will look the other way?

[tenorly]

3. I'd say that's a safe bet.

[IronLionZion]

2. Trump doesn't have time for your laws

he wants to make people suffer.

[guillaumeb]

4. This is meaningless.

The GOP will simply say that the US does not torture people. Thus whatever tactics are used cannot be torture because the US does not torture people.

Orwell would understand.

[Runningdawg]

7. Bingo!

[hrmjustin]

5. Torture should be between consenting adults.

[bucolic_frolic]

9. Like ...

marriage?

[hrmjustin]

13. Lol yes that could be considered torture.

[Runningdawg]

6. It amazes me

how many people think it ever stopped.

[bucolic_frolic]

8. Thune may well believe that and it's good he's spoken out

but the law means nothing to these people

[Sherman A1]

11. Precisely

The law does not apply to them.

[MurrayDelph]

10. It was "Settled Law"

before Bush and Cheney did it. And what did Congress do about it: nothing!

This is why I wrote to Mr. Obama years ago, to emphasize that if we didn't go after the Bush administration for their war crimes, the best we can promise to his "The United States does not torture" is "...for now."

[Doitnow]

12. All fake talk---from Thune and McCain. In the end all rethugs vote the same. Always

[Cryptoad]

14. Whether its settled Law or not,,,

only thingy the Trump Supporter will remember is that Trump brought back torture!

[elleng]

15. but liz cheney (PLEASE pardon me!)

says it's not so clear.

(Heard on PBS NewsHour.)

[msanthrope]

16. Pottery Barn Rule, Assholes. nt