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John Yoo
Bush DOJ Official / Torture Memo Author
Authored legal memos authorizing CIA torture program
Overview
John Yoo was a Deputy Assistant Attorney General who authored the infamous"Torture Memos"that provided legal cover for the CIA's"enhanced interrogation"torture program. His memos redefined torture so narrowly that waterboarding, stress positions, and other brutal techniques were deemed legal. He has never been prosecuted despite enabling war crimes.
Key Affiliations
Controversies & Concerns
TORTURE MEMOS: Authored August 2002 memo redefining torture to allow waterboarding, stress positions, sleep deprivation, and other brutal techniques
WAR CRIMES ENABLER: Memos provided legal cover for CIA torture program that harmed hundreds of detainees
NEVER PROSECUTED: Despite enabling torture, Yoo faced no criminal consequences and remains a law professor
DEFENDED CRUSHING CHILDREN: In congressional testimony, suggested the president could order a child's testicles crushed if he believed it necessary
Related Investigations (10)
Abu Ghraib TortureMilitary & Foreign Policy
Tier 1
criticalCIA Torture ProgramGovernment Abuse
Tier 1
criticalExtraordinary RenditionGovernment Abuse
Tier 1
criticalThe Federalist SocietyFinancial Crime
Tier 2
criticalGuant\u00e1namo BayMilitary & Foreign Policy
Tier 2
criticalIraq War CrimesWar Crimes
Tier 3
criticalIraq War LiesMilitary & Foreign Policy
Tier 1
criticalNSA Mass SurveillanceCivil Liberties
Tier 1
criticalThe PATRIOT ActMilitary & Foreign Policy
Tier 2
criticalTorture Program Accountability FailureWar Crimes
Tier 1
criticalCriminal Charges & Violations
3 documented violations
Geneva Conventions: Common Article 3Authored legal framework enabling torture of detainees(War Crimes)
Convention Against TortureProvided legal cover for prohibited torture techniques(International Crime)
18 U.S.C. § 2340AConspiracy to commit torture(Federal Crime)
Known Associates & Connections
Jay Bybee
Co-author of torture memos
Alberto Gonzales
White House Counsel
Sources & Documentation
2 documented sources from official records, investigations, and reports
Personal Information
- Born
- July 10, 1967
- Birthplace
- Seoul, South Korea
Education
- •Harvard University
- •Yale Law School
Key Timeline
July 10, 1967
Born in Seoul, South Korea
2001-2003
Serves in DOJ Office of Legal Counsel
August 1, 2002
Signs primary torture memo
2003
Returns to UC Berkeley
2009
OPR investigation finds"poor judgment"but no misconduct