White House Warns of Global Backlash Following CIA Report

The CIA announced Monday that it is expecting possible global backlash after it releases a report detailing the interrogation tactics used by U.S. investigators after the September 11 terrorist attacks in New York City.

White House spokesperson Josh Earnest said during a press conference Monday that the international community should brace itself for possible backlash in regard to the report, which may be released as early as Tuesday. Earnest added that although President Barack Obama welcomes the report, he does not condone to use of torture in interrogation techniques, including waterboarding, confinement and sleep deprivation.

Earnest said Monday that the president does not support the use of torture even if it did lead to the capture and death of terrorist Osama Bin Laden, coordinator of the attacks on the Twin Towers in New York City.

"There were a variety of views whether information that was gleamed from enhanced interrogation techniques led to the eventual capture of Osama bin Laden," Earnest said during the press conference.

"What we have been clear about, and what the president has been clear about, is that he does not believe the use of these enhanced interrogation techniques is justified. He does not believe that makes us safer. He does not believe that is in the core national security interest," the White House spokesperson added.

Former U.S. President George W. Bush, who was in office during much of the post-9/11 interrogation practices, defended the CIA in a statement to CNN Monday, calling members of the intelligence organization "patriots."

"We're fortunate to have men and women who work hard at the CIA serving on our behalf," Bush told CNN. "These are patriots and whatever the report says, if it diminishes their contributions to our country, it is way off base."