From 2005-2009, Steven G. Bradbury was acting head of the Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Counsel under George Bush. During this time he authored the “torture memos” that contradict domestic and international law regarding the treatment of prisoners. In 2008, Bradbury was blocked from holding Senate-confirmable positions due to his role in Bush’s torture program. Then-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) used procedural maneuvers to prevent Bradbury’s nomination to a senior Justice Department position. With President Trump, he has resurfaced in vying for a key government position. – Veterans for Peace
We saw it coming. Promotion of Bush era war criminals guarantees a lucrative livelihood for torturers and their enablers. And denies restitution to survivors of the practice – indefinitely.
Abdul Latif Nasser faces the prospect of spending the rest of his life in Guantanamo, “a hostage to Donald Trump’s purely political desire to act tough.” Four other men unanimously approved for release under President Obama languish at the U.S. concentration camp. An additional 36 detainees include 26 “forever prisoners” held without charge or trial.
“For the men still held despite being approved for release, the loneliness must be particularly bitter as they contemplate the possibility that they will be stuck at Guantanamo forever unless someone in the Trump administration pays attention to their plight,” says Close Guantánamo co-founder Andy Worthington. The President’s determination to preserve, even expand the state torture program he inherited makes reparation highly unlikely.
Last Wednesday, members of Veterans for Peace interrupted the Senate confirmation hearing for Mr. Bradbury, nominated by Donald Trump as general counsel for the Commerce, Science and Transportation Department, and were subsequently arrested. “Anybody whose moral compass is so broken that they would condone torture doesn’t deserve a position in the U.S. government,” said protester Ken Ashe as he was handcuffed by Capitol Police.
Human Rights First, along with 14 other human rights groups, have called on senators to oppose the nomination.