White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest just confirmed that the Dianne Feinstein led Senate Intelligence Committee will release its report on CIA interrogation tactics tomorrow:
Frm @PressSec Sen. Intelligence Committee will release interrogation rpt Tuesday – WH notified. "A decision they have made." WH backs it.
— Major Garrett (@MajorCBS) December 8, 2014
+ From @PressSec release of report "could lead to a greater risk" for US embassies but "prudent steps" have been taken to ensure security.
— Major Garrett (@MajorCBS) December 8, 2014
There were reports from last week that Sec. of State John Kerry had attempted to persuade Sen. Feinstein to delay the release of the report and that outreach looks to have failed. Earnest wouldn’t comment on that, however:
WH's Earnest won't wade into why Kerry called Feinstein about torture rpt: I will let Secy Kerry explain why made phone call.
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) December 8, 2014
White House not commenting on @JohnKerry's call to Feinstein, though it released a statement on Friday
— Anita Kumar (@anitakumar01) December 8, 2014
State: Kerry "made it clear to Sen Feinstein" that #TortureReport release date was her decision but reiterated implications of the timing.
— Hannah Allam (@HannahAllam) December 8, 2014
.@PressSec refers questions on @JohnKerry's call to Diana Feinstein to the State Dept
— Anita Kumar (@anitakumar01) December 8, 2014
And many are angry that the release of this report will put American lives at risk overseas:
https://twitter.com/MJP1313/status/542025111566823425
House Intelligence chairman says the release of Senate report on CIA torture will cause deaths abroad: http://t.co/oL5VIZ8SAo
— The Associated Press (@AP) December 7, 2014
@SouthernLady551 I think this report is an irresponsible death warrant for our CIA case officers and troops still in the field. @mjgranger1
— John Cardillo (@johncardillo) December 8, 2014
https://twitter.com/TalkinKnowledge/status/542026703552671745
This administration's consequences-be-damned approach to #CIA report should stoke serious Qs about admin's dangerously idealistic worldview
— pro-Western Local (@theWest) December 8, 2014
And count the White House and Pentagon among those worried about how the release of this report could endanger lives:
Pres wants to make sure we are doing what is necessary to protect Americans following release of CIA torture report, Josh Earnest says
— Steven Dennis (@StevenTDennis) December 8, 2014
.@PressSec says "we have taken the necessary precautions" to prepare for RDI report release
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) December 8, 2014
.@PressSec confirms CIA Torute report will be released Tuesday. US Embassies prepared for any reactionary impact on its facilities
— Chris Essner (@ChrisEssner) December 8, 2014
Just now. @PressSec says some indication release of CIA terror report could lead to "greater risk" to US facilities around the world.
— Charlie Kaye (@CharlieKayeNews) December 8, 2014
DEFCON Hill: Pentagon ramps up security for CIA report http://t.co/6WwzwWiWEt
— Security Dialogue (@thesecdialogue) December 8, 2014
CIA torture report could ignite unrest, Kerry warns http://t.co/0WF38Iqy2C #MoreUnrest
— LBC (@laydbackcat) December 8, 2014
President Bush, however, issued this preemptive defense of the men and women at the CIA and the tactics used during his administration calling them “patriots” and “we’re lucky as a nation to have them”:
Bush refutes CIA torture report to CNN's Candy Crowley http://t.co/lCtS6lqaJP
— CNN Communications (@CNNPR) December 8, 2014
Ex CIA officials are rebutting the claims in the Senate report as well:
Bush and C.I.A. Ex-Officials Rebut Torture Report http://t.co/Jij6WnoPeU
— MRG (@MisterG_PDX) December 8, 2014
Ex-CIA Chief Hayden: ‘Torture’ Report Will Cripple Agency http://t.co/dudHJzLU2K
— ❌Ƭαвιтнα Ɓℓιѕѕ❌ ❤?????? (@BlissTabitha) December 8, 2014
Updates to follow as this story will only get bigger tomorrow.
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