March 25, 2018 - Washington—Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) on Friday released the following statement about the need to fully vet Gina Haspel, nominee for CIA director. She also sent a letter to the CIA last week asking for the declassification of Haspel’s records.

“While many nominees have classified backgrounds, Gina Haspel is unique in that she was involved not only in the classified CIA torture program, but reportedly played a key role.

“That’s why I asked CIA to declassify her records. Senators must be able to fully review her activities so they can make an informed decision on her nomination – a key Senate responsibility – and the public should be aware of the background of its leaders.

“We know the CIA provided Congress and the public with inaccurate information about the torture program, we know the agency’s management of the program was suspect and we know the program was extremely brutal. We also know that no one was held accountable.

“To promote someone so heavily involved in the torture program to the top position at the CIA, the agency responsible for one of the darkest chapters in our history, is a move that I’m very wary of. Her experience may have served her well as deputy, but the top position is another matter entirely.”
Source: Senator Dianne Feinstein