CIA Waterboarders Won't Be Prosecuted

Seeking to move beyond what he calls a "a dark and painful chapter in our history," President Barack Obama said today that CIA officials who used harsh interrogation tactics during the Bush administration will not be prosecuted. Obama officials also released four secret memos detailing tactics against 28 prisoners, from waterboarding to using a plastic neck collar to slam detainees into walls.

“In releasing these memos, it is our intention to assure those who carrying out their duties relying in good faith upon the legal advice from the Department of Justice that they will not be subject to prosecution," said Obama's statement. "Nothing will be gained by spending our time and energy laying blame for the past." AG Eric Holder said the government would provide free legal representation to CIA employees in any legal proceeding related to the program and would repay any financial judgment.     (More waterboarding stories.)