Obama AG Nominee: ‘Waterboarding Is Torture … And Thus Illegal’

UNITED STATES - JANUARY 28: U.S. Attorney General nominee Loretta Lynch is sworn-in during her confirmation hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015. (Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call) (C... UNITED STATES - JANUARY 28: U.S. Attorney General nominee Loretta Lynch is sworn-in during her confirmation hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015. (Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call) (CQ Roll Call via AP Images) MORE LESS
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U.S. Attorney General nominee Loretta Lynch told senators at her confirmation hearing Wednesday that waterboarding is “torture” and therefore “illegal.”

She was asked about the issue by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT), the ranking member of the Judiciary Committee.

“Waterboarding is torture, senator,” Lynch said.

“And thus illegal?” he asked.

“And thus illegal,” she said.

That was enough for Leahy, who quickly moved to a new topic.

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