National Investigative Correspondent, Washington Post
National investigative editor for the Washington Post
PROFILE
R. Jeffrey Smith
Guest
FROM R. Jeffrey Smith
Which Way, L.A.?
Prisoner Abuse and National Security A lawsuit by the American Civil Liberties Union forced the Obama Administration to release a CIA Inspector General's report kept secret since 2004. Attorney General Eric Holder ordered a special prosecutor to investigate CIA interrogators who used abusive techniques described in the document. President Obama established a new, Interagency Interrogation Group led by the FBI.
To the Point
Prisoner Abuse and National Security A lawsuit by the American Civil Liberties Union forced the Obama Administration to release a CIA Inspector General’s report kept secret since 2004. Now we know that CIA interrogators used a gun and a power drill, faked an execution, choked one prisoner and threatened to kill another one’s children. Former Vice President Dick Cheney says they deserve America’s gratitude. Attorney General Eric Holder wants them investigated for possible crimes. President Obama established a new, Interagency Interrogation Group led by the FBI. Should policy-makers in the Bush White House be held accountable, too? Can the CIA still do its job? What’s the new role of the FBI? What does it take to protect America’s safety and obey the law?
To the Point
Bush Administration Rushing Last-Minute Regulatory Changes Administration officials have just three weeks left to publish 90 new regulations the Bush White House wants set in concrete so the new Administration can't change them when it takes office next year. That's according to Jeffrey Smith in today's Washington Post .
To the Point
Anxious CIA Officers Buy Insurance in Case They're Sued President Bush, who insists the US has never authorized torture to make suspects reveal what they know about the war on terror, is still negotiation with Congress over rules for military tribunals to such suspects. But last week he said that "an alternative set of procedures" has been effective, which has some CIA agents signing up for special insurance--in case their sued or charged with criminal wrong doing.
Recommended
To the Point
Who's to blame for the opioid crisis? Some of the lawyers who took on Big Tobacco are now going after Big Pharma. It’s all about the deadly epidemic of opioid use. Are the drug companies to blame? What about the users? Later, on today’s Talking Point: making sense of Britain’s upset election.
To the Point
Trump plays scolder-in-chief with NATO allies At the opening of NATO’s dramatic new headquarters in Brussels today, President Trump acknowledged that Article 5 — promising that “an attack on one nation is an attack on all” -- has only been invoked one time: in the aftermath of September 11. But the President failed to provide what 27 other Alliance members have been waiting for: a re-commitment by America’s new leader to Article 5. Instead, they got a scolding.
To the Point
Will the Senate write a healthcare bill in secret? While Democrats and Republicans argue White House relations with Russia, another question is being decided behind closed doors: who gets help buying health insurance and who doesn't? We hear how the pros and cons are being shrouded in secrecy.
To the Point
Janesville and the American Dream Janesville, Wisconsin is the hometown of Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan. But he couldn’t prevent the closing of the General Motors factory after 100 years. On this Memorial Day rebroadcast of To the Point, we hear what’s happened to what once was a model of American middle-class unity.