Sen. Mark Warner Announces ‘Support’ for CIA Nominee Gina Haspel

Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said he would support Gina Haspel’s nomination to be CIA director in a statement made Tuesday afternoon. “I believe she is someone who can and will stand up to the President if ordered to do something illegal or immoral—like a return to torture,” Warner wrote. “I acknowledge that this has been a difficult decision… However, in both our one-on-one meetings and in classified session before the Committee, I found Acting Director Haspel to be more forthcoming regarding her views on the interrogation program[.]” Warner continued: “I’m going to support Gina Haspel’s nomination to be Director of the CIA. I also respect my colleagues who have made a different decision.” On Monday, Haspel sent a letter to Warner saying that she would not revive the enhanced interrogation program and stated that the program is not something the CIA should have “undertaken”—which she refused to admit during her confirmation hearing last week. The committee’s vote on Haspel’s nomination is set for Wednesday.