Leahy Invites Bybee To Testify on Torture Memos

By Keith Perine | April 29, 2009 1:17 PM | | Comments (0)

Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick J. Leahy has invited 9th Circuit judge Jay S. Bybee to testify before the panel on his role in writing several Justice Department memoranda on the legality of harsh interrogation techniques for suspected terrorists.

"By coming forward to testify, you will be able to explain your position with regard to these matters, including your involvement and your knowledge regarding how these memos were written and approved, what considerations went into that process, who was consulted in that process and the roles of various individuals," Leahy, D-Vt., said.

Bybee served as Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel from 2001 to 2003 before taking his seat on the 9th Circuit. He signed two controversial August 2002 memoranda that outlined legal rationales for techniques that critics say amounted to torture.

The New York Times quoted Bybee today as saying the 2002 memos were "a good faith analysis of the law." That was a marked contrast to an April 25 story in the Washington Post that characterized Bybee as troubled by the memos.

"The contrast between the recent articles in The New York Times and The Washington Post is striking. I am giving you the opportunity to come forward and clarify what you meant in your public discussion of these matters, and so that we can establish the facts and get to the truth," Leahy wrote. "There is significant concern about the legal advice provided by OLC while you were in charge, how that advice came to be generated, the considerations that went into it, and the role played by the White House."

Leahy has previously called for Bybee to resign, and there's a clamor among liberals for his impeachment.

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