Reaction Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.),

Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee,

On Attorney General Mukasey’s Response

To Leahy-Specter Letter About The Department Of Justice’s
Investigation Into The Destruction Of CIA Interrogation Tapes

December 14, 2007

 

“I am disappointed that the Department of Justice declined to provide us, either publicly or in a classified setting, with any of the information Senator Specter and I have requested.  The Judiciary Committee has an important role in the oversight of the Department of Justice.  Oversight fosters accountability.  This Committee needs to fully understand whether the government used cruel interrogation techniques and torture, contrary to our basic values.

 

“I will ask Attorney General Mukasey -- in public and on the record -- more about the Department’s knowledge of and role in the existence and destruction of these videotapes at the Committee’s next oversight hearing, which I intend to call early next year.  The Committee will also look forward to hearing from Deputy Attorney General nominee Mark Filip about this matter at his confirmation hearing on December 19.”

 

To read a PDF of Mukasey's letter, click here.