(CNN) - Former Vice President Dick Cheney said in an interview broadcast Sunday that the Justice Department's decision to review waterboarding and other enhanced interrogation techniques is politically motivated.
Cheney said he opposes the decision by Attorney General Eric Holder to ask a former prosecutor to review CIA interrogations of high-profile terrorism suspects.
Cheney made clear he believes President Obama directed Holder to launch the review because the president is feeling pressure from left-wing Democrats. Cheney said the review will undermine the willingness of CIA personnel to conduct necessary operations.
"I think it's a terrible decision," Cheney said on "Fox News Sunday." "It's clearly a political move. There's no other rationale for why they're doing this."
He criticized Obama for allowing a review considering the president previously said that CIA operatives involved in the interrogations would not be prosecuted. "I think he's trying to duck responsibility for what's going on here, and I think it's wrong," Cheney said.
Updated: 2:43 p.m.
From CNN Politics
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Work for us | Help
Gee, this coming from Cheney, I'm really surprised. Please let this poor excuse for an American fade into history. It will be history that will judge him and his actions, so let history start now.
it is this investigation itself, that is unconstitutional, unamerican, immoral and illegal, should be held in contempt and prosecuted...along with this comunist administration
Seriously people do you read the articles.
Cheney isn't squirming. He has accepted responsibility for giving authorization to waterboard. What exactly will the investigation find out that Cheney hasn't admitted to already? Nothing. He owns up to everything. He accepts responsibility for it all and thats pretty stand up.
He is trying to protect the CIA. In the 70s the CIA was decimated by another witch hunt because the administration did not step up and take responsibility.
If you think the CIA are the bad guys then be glad about this. I think the CIA are the good guys and does our society a great service and investigating them like this is a disservice to them.
It's about time for what Cheney, et al. did to this country. Their actions just make their impeachment proceedings against President Clinton more and more ridiculous. Our country is supposed to be based on our values, laws and ideals, and they made a mockery of them. It's funny how Chaney is the most vocal, and he's the most guilty.
Hey there Dick,
Did you think that you and your minions would just get off scott free?
Calling this political is in itself political, since you are making it "political." But what we really have here is the piper awaiting payment for the blood on your hands you crook!
All of america knows how you lied cheated and stole the spoils of a misguided war for the sake of profiteering and personal gain for you and your friends. This country is not yours for the picking!
You will find yourself boxed in on all sides, with less and less friends who may have liked you during times of prosperity, but will flee from you as your day of reconing approaches.
Cheney and his right-wing extremist buddies are covering their war mongering butts once again. They boast of protecting the Constitution and Democracy then go their merry way ignoring our Constitution and our Laws. My they rot in you know where!
Somebody sounds scared. Cheney is worried if what he did was honorable and for our security, then he should be able to proudly and publicly proclaim his actions for all to hear. An investigation would not be necessary.
C'mon boldly tell us and the entire world everything you did and approved to protect the USA. What are you hiding????
Bush and Cheney Administration believed that they have the power to override the laws and control Attorney General whom they appointed.
Obama Administartion believes that no one should have the power above the law, not even the president. and the Attorney General is a stand alone entity for the greater goods of Americans.
It didn't come as a surprises that Cheney is now on the hot seat.
If there is nothing to hide, why make such a great deal out of it
Let's see....
Cheney's logic:
We have not been attacked on our soil since 9/11 so that means:
torture works.
OK you arrest people and hold them for years and torture them till they
give you info on their specific plans to attack the USA.
How could they give you any viable information on specific threats
if their counterparts know they are being tortured and might divulge
information concerning their plans for any new attacks.If you were one of these "terrorists" and you knew one of yours was missing would you not "change your plans".
So torture gives us worthless information ...case in point.
Are your people kidding? I tried to tell everyone during the Democratic primaries that Barack Obama was just George Bush of the left... and he is. Like Bush he has no executive experience, no business experience, no military experience, no international experience and little if any national experience. What is the one area where all seem to see at least some competence? Foreign Policy. And who is Secretary of State? Hillary Clinton. The far left wanted Emperor Barack just like the far right wanted King George. Now all of you guys in the middle who believed the press... well, it's time to pay the piper for buying their poop.
Emperor Barack is marching to the tune of the extremes of his party just like King Bush.
Ah, will you just go away already? Better yet, go to jail.
Hey, Dick. Maybe they are investigating it BECAUSE THEY THINK YOU BROKE THE LAW! Or, does that not pertain to you? Fender benders are investigated in this country and you expect the American people to look the other way when our government is killing detainees.
How is this political? What does Obama gain from investigating an old, irrelevant politician....citizen actually?
People who violate international law can be arrested and executed or put in jail. If people of the U.S. ( CIA, Contractors, etec ) have violated International law on Torture as defined by international law they can be prosecuted and jailed. This is a precicent that was applied to German soldiers after WWII. You cannot use the defense that your leaders told you to do it ( or that your countries lawers said it was ok ). That does not make it legal. I think this is the big reason for following up on the possible illegal activity.
Wow, the people who post here are extremely bias. "war-criminal-in-chief?" Gimme a break. Someone also compared the interrogators to police who beat their suspects. The difference between the two is that the people being tortured are suspected of holding information that could save hundreds to thousands of lives, whereas the police beatings are just overzealous cops.
The techniques used were previously APPROVED by the Justice Apartment, so don't say that they aren't making this a political issue. Cheney, a low life? That's a joke. It's called being a wartime leader.
Do we want more americans killed?? I say get their plans to kill our americans any way we can get the info. How ab out our american soliders being decapited while serving to protect us in america!!!!! why don,t the press and Oboma crews issue what the killers did to us, was 911 justifed by the obama people around him?? wake up america, How about the Clinton years has the Obana attorney General look at his private cia informations???
Do you dick think that AG should do what the President sais? I don't think so! Justice must be independent. And, where were you yesterday? Did Ted's family prohibit you to atend the funeral?
Go back to your "undiclosed" location, and get ready for the prosecution.
It's political ? Is Cheney kidding ! There's nothing that man ever did that was NOT political. I wish he'd stop trying the rewrite history. Here's a man who has no conscience therefore sees no wrong in himself but only in others who don't agree with his philosophy. I can only hope in the end he gets exactly what he deserves......a prison term worthy of his crimes.
The CIA was doing exactly what we asked them to do – keep America safe by all means available. These guys being interrogated are not innocent sheepherders, they are trained, evil, ideologues who would kill Americans any way they could. Bravo to VP Cheney and his administration for putting America's safety before politics.
I think this just naturally arose as its so disturbing you can do your own research and find it was indeed torture. If anything, obama wants it to go away. He is not stupid, he knows this will futher hinder any reforms he wants to get thru congress and stir up the partisan pot. Cheyney is feeling guilty and worried he might be prosecuted as he sat in that saddle of the horse of state when it all happened. I am sure an investigation will lead right up to the vice presidents office and his top administrators who weren't known to freelance on their own.
We in the U.S. enjoy freedom. Then forget there is a price to pay for it. Do no complain unless you are willing to do your part to protect the U.S. I fully support our troops and any special-ops operations being conducted. I feel the military is not doing enough in the fight against terrorism. Their hands are tied by politicians.
There is no use in reasonning with terrorist. I have restrained from fully stating my views as it might offend other people.
oh, silly Cheney....!
Your guilt and fear of getting caught for your crimes is showing.
why does the investigation need to happen? because the power people being the torture are corrupt and are still very influential in Washington. Past or not, the was a major crime committed and those responsible have not been held accountable.
That has been your problem all along, Mr. Cheney, you belief that politics has an appropriate place in the Justice Department. You were unworthy to hold public office and that has not changed. Cheney is the one who put our country at risk for purely political motives. If he would just shut up, we could ignore him and he might escape punishment.
Why is torturing people okay for us to do but we hold other countries accountable for violating treaties? It's criminal regardless how big your ego is.
“The results speak for themselves”. This man has the same
problem that afflicts many Americans –being honest with oneself. Modifying the language and your beliefs to justify your response to whatever situation that comes up.
The most classic example is the difference (yes, there is a fundamental one) between “want” and “need”. The example in question here is the difference between “patriotism” and “nationalism”. Patriots defend the laws and the constitution of the country in which they live – no matter what the situation. Nationalists defend the actions of their country no matter what they may be – often expressed as “my country right or wrong”. Since my country is, by definition, never wrong, what’s the problem?
Those of us such as Mr. Cheney subscribe to the nationalist perspective – the end justifies the means, no matter what.
Some of the rest of us believe we should obey the laws and the constitution of our country, no matter what.
Cheney wants to derail the investigation by trying this issue in the court of public opinion. Is he afraid the investigation will land on his doorstep?