President Trump tweeted encouragement Monday to CIA director nominee Gina Haspel, in the face of Democratic objections to her nomination because of her support for interrogation techniques that some say amounts to torture.
“My highly respected nominee for CIA Director, Gina Haspel, has come under fire because she was too tough on Terrorists,” Trump posted to Twitter. “Think of that, in these very dangerous times, we have the most qualified person, a woman, who Democrats want OUT because she is too tough on terror. Win Gina!”
My highly respected nominee for CIA Director, Gina Haspel, has come under fire because she was too tough on Terrorists. Think of that, in these very dangerous times, we have the most qualified person, a woman, who Democrats want OUT because she is too tough on terror. Win Gina!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 7, 2018
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and many Democrats argue Haspel’s support for enhanced interrogation techniques after 9/11 put the CIA down the dangerous road of supporting torture. Haspel was also reportedly involved in the destruction of interrogation tapes in Thailand.
Haspel reportedly sought to withdraw her name from consideration before the Senate confirmation hearing to avoid damaging the reputation of the CIA, according to four senior U.S. officials.
According to the sources, Haspel did not want to be “the next Ronny Jackson,” the White House physician who withdrew his name as Veterans Affairs secretary nominee last week after baseless reports surfaced that he over-prescribed pain medication and often was drunk on the job.
Despite reports of Haspel considering dropping her name from consideration, she is still slated to appear before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Wednesday.
