Ex-CIA Official Gets Reprieve, Continues Talks Over Tape Testimony

The House intelligence committee has withdrawn a demand for testimony on Wednesday from the CIA official who approved the destruction of two videotapes showing harsh interrogations.

Lawmakers are negotiating with the official, Jose Rodriguez Jr., over his demand for immunity in exchange for his testimony, the Washington Post reports.

The CIA’s top lawyer, John Rizzo, is still expected to appear on the closed hearing. Prior reports said Rizzo was aware of advice by two CIA lawyers that the tapes could be destroyed. However, he was not told of Rodriguez’s decision to issue an order destroying the tapes until after the fact, according to the news accounts.