Conyers Subpoenas Addington for Torture Testimony

This afternoon, Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.), faxed a subpoena to David Addington, Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff and counsel to Vice President Dick Cheney:

Dear Mr. Addington:As discussed with Counsel to the Vice President Kathryn Wheelbarger, enclosed is a subpoena for your testimony at a hearing before the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties of the House Judiciary Committee on June 26,2008. We appreciate very much the cooperation of you and Ms. Wheelbarger in agreeing to accept service by fax and on the June 26 date for the hearing, and we look forward to your testimony. If you have any questions, problems, or concerns, please direct them to the Judiciary Committee office, 2138 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 (tel: 202-XXX-XXXX, fax: 202-XXX-XXXX).Sincerely,John Conyers, Jr.Chairman

Finally! After all the abuses and allegations of torture at Bagram, Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo, we’re hopeful that this June 26 hearing will be a real investigation that focuses on who the real perpetrators are behind the Bush administration’s torture policies. And it’s time to hold these people accountable.

We continue to call for the appointment of an independent prosecutor (PDF) to investigate these possible torture crimes and the cover-up that ensued. We’re asking Congress to give this investigation some teeth, and ensure that the prosecution of crimes isn’t all bark, and no bite.