Dick Cheney and torture politics
The former vice president's criticism of the Obama administration's investigation into CIA interrogations
President Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder have really done it—they've hurt Dick Cheney's feelings, said Steve Benen in The Washington Monthly. The former vice president said on Fox News Sunday that the decision to investigate whether Bush-era interrogators broke the law by torturing terrorism suspects "offends the hell" out of him, and he might not even cooperate. He even said Obama should be asking him for tips on fighting terror—"the nerve." (watch Dick Cheney talk with Fox News Sunday's Chris Wallace about CIA interrogations)
Obama and Holder are the ones who ought to be ashamed, said Dan Spencer in RedState. Cheney called the appointment of a prosecutor a "political act," and he's right—going after people in the previous administration amounts to the "shameless politicization" of the Justice Department. As Cheney said, this sets a "terrible, terrible precedent."
At least now we know precisely where Dick Cheney stands—he thinks it's okay to break the law, said Dave Hackel in The Huffington Post. Cheney went beyond defending the Bush administration's torture policies and said it was okay if interrogators went beyond techniques that were deemed legal. Sorry, Mr. Cheney, but the Constitution doesn't say you're only required to uphold "the laws you like."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Critics’ choice: Restaurants worthy of their buzz
feature A fun bistro, a reservation worth the wait, and a modern twist on Mexican dishes
By The Week US Published
-
Film reviews: Snow White, Death of a Unicorn, and The Alto Knights
Feature A makeover for Disney’s first animated feature, greedy humans earn nature’s wrath, and a feud between crime bosses rattles the mob
By The Week US Published
-
Bombs or talks: What’s next in the US-Iran showdown?
Talking Points US gives Tehran a two-month deadline to deal
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?
In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
By The Week Staff Published
-
'Seriously, not literally': how should the world take Donald Trump?
Today's big question White House rhetoric and reality look likely to become increasingly blurred
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will Trump's 'madman' strategy pay off?
Today's Big Question Incoming US president likes to seem unpredictable but, this time round, world leaders could be wise to his playbook
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Democrats vs. Republicans: who are the billionaires backing?
The Explainer Younger tech titans join 'boys' club throwing money and support' behind President Trump, while older plutocrats quietly rebuke new administration
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
US election: where things stand with one week to go
The Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
By The Week UK Published
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published