Collins agrees with DoJ recommendations

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said Wednesday that she agrees with the Justice Department’s decision not to prosecute Bush administration officials.

“I don’t think it’s appropriate to bring criminal charges against civil servants…who were giving their best legal advice,” Collins said on MSNBC.

The Associated Press reported Wednesday that the Justice Department will recommend that sanctions, including possibly disbarment, instead of pursuing criminal prosecutions.

Collins was careful to say she disagrees with the interrogation techniques that were used, but didn’t think the lawyers should be prosecuted.

“I think the techniques were over the line, excessively harsh, and should not have been authorized,” she said. “But I don’t think you can bring charges against attorneys who were asked asked to review a very complicated area and asked to render a legal opinion.”

jeremy.jacobs@digital-stage.thehill.com