Nominee Pulls Out Before Being Questioned About Torture

In the latest bout over who was in the know about torture, President Obama’s nominee for Homeland Security intelligence chief, Philip Mudd (right), withdrew from consideration on Friday before having to disclose his involvement in the CIA’s interrogation practices. John O. Brennan, who was the leading candidate to head the CIA, withdrew from consideration for the top post because of similar reasons last November.

The Los Angeles Times:

President Obama’s pick to be the intelligence chief at the Department of Homeland Security withdrew from consideration on Friday amid signs that he could face opposition on Capitol Hill over his role in the CIA’s interrogation of terrorism suspects.

Philip Mudd, who has held a series of senior positions at the CIA and FBI, said in a written statement released by the White House that he had decided to step aside out of concern that his nomination would “become a distraction” to the administration.

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