As the calls for his impeachment grow louder, Jay Bybee — the Bush OLC lawyer who wrote one of the torture memos, and who is now a federal judge — has been given the chance to share his side of the story.
The unlikely invitation comes from Pat Leahy, the chair of the Senate Judiciary committee. In a letter sent to Bybee today, Leahy invites him to testify before the committee about his role in writing the memos.
In the letter, Leahy notes that press accounts have painted a confusing picture of Bybee’s position on the memos. A recent Washington Post story quoted associates saying he “was not pleased” with how they turned out, but today, the New York Times reports that Bybee “believed at the time, and continues to believe today, that the conclusions were legally correct.” During his confirmation hearings for the judgeship, Bybee refused to discuss his work for OLC.
Writes Leahy:
By coming forward and testifying before the Committee, you will have the opportunity to amplify or correct these accounts, and explain your role and your views.
Sounds like a generous offer.