Donald Trump on Friday reversed his position on the use of torture during interrogation, just hours after saying he supports the use of torture and would order the military to carry it out.
Trump told the Wall Street Journal that he would “use every legal power that I have to stop these terrorist enemies. I do, however, understand that the United States is bound by laws and treaties.”
“I will not order our military or other officials to violate those laws and will seek their advice on such matters,” Trump said in a statement.
“I will not order a military officer to disobey the law. It is clear that as president I will be bound by laws just like all Americans and I will meet those responsibilities,” Trump added
The night before, at the 11th Republican debate, Trump insisted he would be open to ordering torture or the elimination of terrorist suspects’ family members. Former NSA director Michael Hayden has said that soldiers would be allowed to disobey their commander-in-chief in that kind of scenario, as such actions are illegal, but Trump said Thursday that people would follow his orders.
“They’re not going to refuse. Believe me,” Trump said.
