US: Gina Haspel confirmed to lead CIA

US: Gina Haspel confirmed to lead CIA

Trump nominee becomes first woman to helm CIA despite concerns about her history with enhanced interrogation program

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - President Donald Trump's pick to lead the CIA was confirmed Thursday to take the post despite concerns about her history with the agency's enhanced interrogation program, which has been roundly criticized as torture.

The 55-44 vote clears the way for Gina Haspel to become the agency's first female director, a landmark achievement for women after a Senate committee recommended she take the position on Wednesday.

Haspel's confirmation has been contentious at times given her role in supervising a CIA black site in Thailand where prisoners were tortured as well as concerns over her role in the destruction of videotaped recordings of brutal CIA interrogations.

During her confirmation hearing before the Senate intelligence committee last week, Haspel was grilled by Democrats over her record, and repeatedly asked if she thought torture was immoral. She did not say it is.

Senator John McCain, a Republican who was a victim of torture during the Vietnam War, urged his colleagues to reject her nomination shortly after the hearing concluded.

"Ms. Haspel’s role in overseeing the use of torture by Americans is disturbing. Her refusal to acknowledge torture’s immorality is disqualifying," McCain said. "The Senate should exercise its duty of advice and consent and reject this nomination."

McCain did not take part in Thursday's vote. He is in his native Arizona where he is battling brain cancer.

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