Biden On Prosecution Of Bush Officials: "Not Ruling It Out"

In an interview with ABC News' George Stephanopolous, Joe Biden said he was 'not ruling out' prosecutions for Bush administration officials over torture.

STEPHANOPOULOS: The Senate Armed Services Committee last week had a unanimous report that said that the prisoner abuse at Abu Ghraib, at Guantanamo, at prisons around the world is a direct and indirect result of decisions made by Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and other high officials. Should they be prosecuted for that?

BIDEN: First of all, that's a judgment, remember, four years ago on your program I made, so I haven't changed my mind. And this confirms.

But the questions of whether or not a criminal act has been committed or a very, very, very bad judgment has been engaged in is -- is something the Justice Department decides.

Barack Obama and I are -- President-elect Obama and I are not sitting thinking about the past. We're focusing on the future. Obviously, that if the Justice...

STEPHANOPOULOS: But should the cases be reviewed?

BIDEN: Well, that's a decision I'd look to the Justice Department to make.

STEPHANOPOULOS: But you're not ruling it out at this point?

BIDEN: I'm not ruling it in and not ruling it out. I just think we should look forward. I think we should be looking forward, not backwards.

Newsweek reported recently that Donald Rumsfeld and John Ashcroft could soon face "legal jeopardy" for their role in abusive interrogations.

Comments

[fredamae]

Please, VP Elect Biden, Give "We the People" Some sort of Justice.

[shireenj]

Truly you American people do deserve something back for all the horror that us, the rest of the world, have put you through with our disdain .throughout the Bushyears, .. but I think what Obama and Biden, mean, is that it's all over now ... AND IT TRULY IS ... there's so much to do now ... spending energy on recriminations is sapping it from the future ... we all need as much positivity as we can muster ... love to you all from Oz (Australia)

[vjoseph]

Why do foreigners get that,but not Americans? There are far more pressing matters such as the economy to fix, to waste political capital on such issues. When, we get the economy going, then yes, lets prosecute. Priorities, people, priorities

[babymonster]

Unbelievable.

[seattlejanet]

I can only hope that the Obama administration WILL proceed with war crimes charges etc. All of them should have been locked up a long time ago.

the amount of damage they have caused staggers the mind.

We must show as a nation, that we have some sort of accountability for these heinous actions.

[redneckliberalpostbush]

like I said previously, these guys and most of our politicians literally get away with murder without consequences and brag about it on TV, while here in the "real America" the cops will show up at your damn workplace and arrest you in front of your boss and coworkers for a freakin barking dog ticket! This happened to a single mother of 4 I know! Unbelievable, here in the "land of the free"

[FreedomAgain]

They should have, I can't stand inconsiderate people that let their dogs bark all night. As if neighbors want to hear dogs barking. That said I agree with you, the dirty politicians always get away, and thats why it always happens again, because justice is never served.

[vinny]

For the sake of future generations, Bush-Chene­y-Rumsfiel­d should be held accountable for their criminal acts, and their "very, very, very bad decisions"

[redneckliberalpostbush]

It's absolutely unbelievable to me how far Bush and Co have gotten destroying the Constitution, Bill of Rights and international treaties. They pretty much took the rule of law in this country and sodomized it, too. If they are not prosecuted and continue the orwellian, psychopathic path they are on, they are going to open a "freedom center" as part of Bush's "legacy" in Dallas. And people who don't have a clue are going to take their kids there. That is like worshiping Stalin as the greatest nice guy of all time.

[charleydan]

The constitution was destroyed in the early 1900's. It just finally came to a point where your upset about it, because it now treads on freedoms you hold dear.

My freedoms were disappearing when I was borned and has continued onward.

The constitution never allowed for government to create NEA, EPA, or majority of the offices that DC has created. In fact the constitution states clearly that the Feds are limited to very few duties. They knew government bureacracy was corrupt from the beginning.

Our forefathers told us to never allow the Federal Reserve, because it would rob the people of its wealth and freedoms. Another congressional approval, but blame a President, after all it is easier to focus on one man.

Yet, you only now complain of Bush, when no President can do anything without congress approval. Get over your anger of a person which was created for votes and worked.

To prosecute Bush is to prosecute congress. Fat chance of them standing up an admitting jail time.

[babymonster]

It was under duress which is understandable and makes the president's crimes that much larger. Much of what you say is true. You are a true libertarian. Check this out. What do you think of this?

http://www.wtc7.net/
http://www.cantonrep.com/homepage/x1069308876/Plane-crashes-into-house-in-Lake-Township
http://makesusdumb.wordpress.com/2008/07/17/cia-cocaine-connection-evidence/
http://www.aztlan.net/cia_russian_mafia.htm

[ILibertine]

Responsibility cannot exist without accountability. Naught but lip service has been paid to holding parties accountable for so many (apparent) travesties and subversions of the public trust that it is mind-boggling to contemplate how many are potentially culpable - from the war to the financial situation.

The problem is that accountability has been forestalled for so long into the mire of events that it almost becomes impossible to address all of the snakes that have arisen from untended pits. Of course, the Democrats have furthered this situation through unwillingness to focus upon the President as leader of the malaise that seems to have infested so many agents and agencies. Congress was all to willing to heap shame upon GM's Wagoner, for example, while his management problems pale in comparison to Bush's or those of the FED, Treasury, SEC, Fannie and Freddie, et al.

To fail in holding those members of the administration accountable, as there must surely be legal justification to pursue in a number of cases, will be to encourage similar offenses in the future.

[redneckliberalpostbush]

"not ruling it out?" wtf These people took an oath with hands on a Bible to uphold our Constitution! You have no other options, sirs, unless you are as corrupt as they are, and enjoy all the lawbreaking. Please, uphold your oaths and carry out the will of the people, unless you are "unitary executives" who "don't care about popularity"

[seattlejanet]

well said...AGR­EE

[Ramirez]

Kudos to the VP-elect.

Stephanopolous was pushing for a provocative soundbite and Biden gave a measured and reasonable answer. That is reassuring and hopefully it will be the new style of Joe Biden.

[slowhand0728]

WOW talk about a misleading headline, I may go out tonight, I may stay in....Or both???

[seattlejanet]

I see it as favorable.­and a hopeful message?

[CurtisEMayle]

Agreed, this site has been becoming more tabloid over the last few months in the tenor of its editing and headlines.

[slinkymom]

They are not going to say anything until they are in office. It would be foolish for them to start making any statements about this until then.

[seattlejanet]

true..can you even wait for the day that they take office to see what actions they will take?

[bbednarz]

As it stands now I do not believe there will be any prosecution of Buh or his associates - "unless the international court get involved" and then only to show we do not need outside help...
An end run around international justice

[charleydan]

Neocons are accused of being of the right. They are neither, but world dominance. Many think Kristol is the head, but puppet he is. The real power of world dominance figures are mostly in Europe.

Many think it is to be the USA as the head figure. I believe they will find dismay in their hearts. Afterall this economic powers want the power, not a country in particular.

So to your question. Nada, Nada, this world dominance power who are also economc power houses will not allow one of their agents(politicians) be hurt. Obama is with them so expect some real surprises if you think he is against war. He will not be prosecuted either.

Unless, Americans refuse and return to the constitution. America will be under there control of their world power. I know you are probably thinking another world conspirator. Yet, when one studies these things they find how predictable the future is. Is not predictability a gauge of truth.

[jalama]

Wow! What a definitive answer.Thi­s is just the knd of leadership that is so needed in these troubled times.

[rogerse]

Yup, ask a very suggestive question and you'll get the answer you want.

[sbvpav]

while i can understand the theory of "wanting to look forward," and it does need to be done to solve the many complex and inter-connected challenges facing our country and our future; in this case, as the world looks to the united states to see what we do and who we are, as our troops are in harms way and while our allies wonder if our word on treaties such as the geneva treaty has any validity, this time with this issue we need to look back to insure we never do this again! no torture, no way, no how; and those that disgraced our values and threatened our safety, should be held accountable.

[westcoastsc]

Hush, Biden, until you get into office.

[mouselion]

Right. Not a good time to be talking out loud on that subject.