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Gina Haspel confirmed as CIA head in Senate vote
Gina Haspel is the new director of the CIA, after getting confirmed in the US Senate. Several Democrats crossed the aisle and gave her the green light, despite objecting to Haspel’s role in the CIA’s torture program.
A number of Republicans also voiced their opposition to Haspel before the Senate vote on Thursday, with Senator Jeff Flake (R-Arizona) joining John McCain (R-Arizona) and Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) against her on Wednesday. McCain did not cast a vote as he is fighting brain cancer.
On Wednesday, the Senate Intelligence Committee voted 10-5 to send Haspel’s nomination to the floor. She faced tough questioning from the committee about her running a controversial black site in Thailand during the era of extraordinary renditions and enhanced interrogation of suspected terrorists under President George W. Bush. She was also asked about a her role in destroying some 90 tapes evidencing torture of detainees.
Senator Mark Warner (D-Virginia), the highest ranking Democrat on the committee, said he thought Haspel would be able to stand up to US President Donald Trump. Senator Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia) also voted for her in committee.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York) didn’t voice his view on the issue, allowing the rest of the party to vote as they wish. Democrats who voiced their approval for Haspel before the confirmation hearing drew ire from their base, however.
Here are the 5 Democratic senators (thus far) who have made clear they don't give a shit about accountability for torture and instead have announced their support of Gina Haspel for CIA director: Mark Warner, Heidi Heitkamp, Bill Nelson, Joe Manchin and Joe Donnelly.
— jeremy scahill (@jeremyscahill) May 15, 2018
A doctor who examined Abdal Rahim al-Nashiri, a prisoner tortured under the supervision of Haspel told The Intercept she privately urged Warner to oppose her confirmation.
“I am one of the only health professionals he has ever talked to about his torture, its effects, and his ongoing suffering,” Dr. Sondra Crosby wrote to Warner’s legislative director on Monday. “He is irreversibly damaged by torture that was unusually cruel and designed to break him. In my over 20 years of experience treating torture victims from around the world, including Syria, Iraq, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mr. al-Nashiri presents as one of the most severely traumatized individuals I have ever seen.”
Crosby highlighted the known acts of torture committed against Nashiri, which included waterboarding, mock executions, anal rape and threatened to sexually assault his mother.
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