Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell won’t make torture legal

Republicans aren't siding with the Trump administration

Breaking away with President Donald Trump’s views on national security, House Speaker Paul Ryan stood beside Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell suggested today that Republicans aren’t interested in making torture legal.

“I believe virtually all of my members are comfortable with the state of the law on that issue,” Mr McConnell told reporters Thursday at the Republican Congressional Retreat in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania..

“Torture is illegal,” Mr Ryan said, “we agree with it not being legal."

President Trump recently announced that his administration would review its interrogation methods after claiming that intelligence officials say that torture “works.” He used the promise of the bringing back unlawful interrogation methods as a staple of his successful 2016 presidential campaign.

Now, he’s promised to consider torture as long as his Defense Secretary James Mattis and CIA Director Mike Pompeo would adopt the practice.

Mr McConnell also addressed Mr Pompeo’s past support of torture and spying, "I think the director of the CIA has made it clear he's going to follow the law.”

Arizona Senator John McCain publicly addressed President Trump’s comments Wednesday, saying “The President can sign whatever executive orders he likes. But the law is the law. We are not bringing back torture in the United States of America.”