Obama won’t tell Justice Dept. to end interrogation probe of Bush administration practices

September 18th, 2009 Former CIA chiefs seek halt to interrogation probeWASHINGTON — Seven former CIA directors are asking President Barack Obama to quash Attorney General Eric Holder's investigation into harsh CIA interrogations of terror suspects during the Bush administration. The request came in a letter Friday from CIA directors who served both Democratic and Republican presidents, including three who served former President George W.

September 1st, 2009 Justice Dept. seeks stronger civil rights divisionWASHINGTON — The Justice Department is moving forward with plans to expand its civil rights division, pursuing cases of discrimination in the workplace, housing and voting rights.

August 24th, 2009 Times: Report advises pursuing CIA abuse casesWASHINGTON — A source briefed on the controversial matter of CIA prisoner abuse tells the New York Times that the Justice Department's ethics office is recommending that nearly a dozen of the abuse cases be pursued. Such a move would reverse the policy of the Bush administration, which had closed the cases, and could expose CIA employees and agency contractors to criminal prosecution for the alleged mistreatment of terror suspects.

July 12th, 2009 McCain opposes probe of interrogation practicesWASHINGTON — Sen. John McCain says he's against opening a criminal investigation into whether CIA officers tortured detainees during the Bush administration.

July 12th, 2009 AP source: Holder considering torture probeWASHINGTON — Contrary to White House wishes, Attorney General Eric Holder may push forward with a criminal investigation into the Bush administration's harsh interrogation practices used on suspected terrorists. Holder is considering whether to appoint a prosecutor and will make a final decision within the next few weeks, a Justice Department official told The Associated Press.

July 12th, 2009 Republicans resist Justice interrogation probeWASHINGTON — Two leading Republican senators say a criminal investigation into the Bush administration's harsh intelligence practices would make the CIA a boogeyman. Sen. Judd Gregg of New Hampshire says Democrats' efforts to review President George W.

July 2nd, 2009 Obama administration delays release of CIA reportWASHINGTON — The Obama administration said Thursday that it needs two more months to review an internal CIA report on the agency's secret detention and interrogation program before making it public, drawing criticism from civil libertarians who say it's past time for Americans to know how its government treated terrorism suspects. The Justice Department had originally said it intended to release the report in June as part of a lawsuit, but department officials now say they need until the end of August.

July 1st, 2009 CIA report on interrogation expected WednesdayWASHINGTON — The Justice Department is expected to release on Wednesday an internal CIA report on the agency's secret detention and interrogation program during the Bush administration. The report had been expected to be made public two weeks ago but was delayed over debates about how much of it should be censored.

June 7th, 2009 Justice Dept. lawyers sought interrogation limitsWASHINGTON — Senior Justice Department lawyers in 2005 sought to limit tough interrogation tactics against terror suspects, but were overruled.

May 11th, 2009 AP Source: Justice plans new antitrust effortWASHINGTON — An Obama administration official says the Justice Department is going to more aggressively investigate big companies that improperly dominate markets. The official said the administration is abandoning a set of legal guidelines put in place by the Bush administration.

May 10th, 2009 State Dems criticize Obama on stance on Bush aidesMONTPELIER, Vt. — Vermont Democrats say President Barack Obama is being soft on prosecuting former Bush administration officials over torture, electronic spying and other matters.

May 10th, 2009 Vt. Dems criticize Obama on stance on Bush aidesMONTPELIER, Vt. — Vermont Democrats say President Barack Obama is being soft on prosecuting former Bush administration officials over torture, electronic spying and other matters.

April 26th, 2009 Senator: Outside probe needed for interrogationsWASHINGTON — A top Democratic senator wants independent investigators to determine whether any Bush administration officials should be prosecuted for authorizing harsh interrogation techniques of suspected terrorists. Michigan Sen.

April 24th, 2009 UN torture envoy: US must prosecute Bush lawyersVIENNA — The U.S. is obligated by a United Nations convention to prosecute Bush administration lawyers who allegedly drafted policies that approved the use of harsh interrogation tactics against terrorism suspects, the U.N.'s top anti-torture envoy said Friday.

April 17th, 2009 WASHINGTON - US President Barack Obama Thursday released four internal legal opinions that were used by former president George W. Bush's administration as justification for harsh CIA interrogations, but ruled out prosecuting anyone involved in such practices.