Mukasey Letter Doesn’t Allay Concerns

Michael Mukasey is promising to review the legality of waterboarding, a harsh interrogation method that simulates drowning, if he is confirmed as attorney general.

In a letter to Senate Democrats, Mukasey said such techniques “seem over the line or, on a personal basis, repugnant to me,” the New York Times reports.

But he said he could not state at this time that waterboarding violates laws against torture because he needs more facts about how it is done. He also said he does not want to put U.S. officials who used the technique in legal jeopardy.

In response, Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Patrick Leahy said he will continue to delay a vote on Mukasey until more questions are answered, the Washington Post reports.