Trump says Mattis' stance on torture overrides his
President-elect Donald Trump and former Marine Corps Gen. James Mattis meet to discuss a Trump administration secretary of defense position on Nov. 19, 2016. (Photo: Getty Images)
President Donald Trump on Friday said he would defer to his top military leader’s judgment on the subject of torture, or the enhanced interrogation of military detainees for the purposes of gathering intelligence.
The Pentagon recently reaffirmed the position of Secretary of Defense James Mattis, a retired Marine Corps general and former commander of U.S. Central Command under President Barack Obama, that torture doesn’t work.
Trump responded During a press conference held alongside British Prime Minister Theresa May on Friday, saying he doesn’t agree, “but I would tell you that he will override because I’m giving him that power. He’s an expert. He’s highly respected. He’s the general’s general.”
The president’s response comes only days after unsubstantiated claims circulated through the media claiming the Trump planned on reversing several Obama administration executive actions on torture.
A document surfaced that purported to be a draft executive order on allowing the Central Intelligence Agency to reopen secret interrogation prisons overseas.
Press Secretary Sean Spicer told reporters Wednesday the document did not originate with the White House.
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