‘He’s dying anyway’: White House official mocks John McCain’s opposition to torture

A White House official callously dismissed Arizona Senator John McCain, who is currently fighting brain cancer, one day after he called on his Senate colleagues to vote against the nomination of Gina Haspel for CIA director.

According to The Hill which cited a source close to the matter, special assistant Kelly Sadler was taking part in a discussion of Haspel’s nomination when he said of McCain’s opposition, “It doesn’t matter, he’s dying anyway.”

The White House did not deny that the derisive comments were made and the Hill’s report was later confirmed by The Washington Post.

In response to the disturbing allegation, a statement from the White House only said, “We respect Senator McCain’s service to our nation and he and his family are in our prayers during this difficult time.”

From The Washington Post:

Sadler’s comment comes amid tension between the White House and McCain, 81, who has been at home in Arizona fighting brain cancer. McCain — a Navy officer who was captured in Vietnam after his aircraft crashed and was tortured as a prisoner of war — urged his Senate colleagues to oppose Haspel’s nomination.

After watching Haspel’s Senate testimony Wednesday, McCain issued a statement saying that although Haspel is “a patriot” and a longtime public servant, her past work at the CIA overseeing interrogation programs was “disturbing.”

“[Haspel’s] refusal to acknowledge torture’s immorality is disqualifying,” McCain wrote in a statement. “I believe the Senate should exercise its duty of advice and consent and reject this nomination.”

The official comments come on the heels of another questionable comment about McCain that came from a Fox News military analyst this Thursday.

During an appearance on the Fox Business channel’s Varney & Co., Thomas McInerney was asked by host Charles Payne about the effectiveness of the tactic.

“The fact is, is John McCain — [torture] worked on John,” he continued. “That’s why they call him ‘Songbird John.’ The fact is those methods can work, and they are effective, as former Vice President Cheney said. And if we have to use them to save a million American lives, we will do whatever we have to.”

Featured image via Gage Skidmore/Flickr

Sky Palma

Before launching DeadState back in 2012, Sky Palma has been blogging about politics, social issues and religion for over a decade. He lives in Los Angeles and also enjoys Brazilian jiu jitsu, chess, music and art.