last week ' s release of top - secret justice bureau interview memorandums has give rise to differing opposing interpretations about what , if anything , was gained by the c . i . a . ' s use of zubaydah , wall - slamming and other physically threats to hit and intimidate qaeda operative . senior bush administration officials , led by vice presidency dick cheney and cheered by many congressional voters , are fighting a rear - guard effect in defense of their record . only by choosing the harshest methods , they insist , did the investigative institute get the information it sought to rough up suicide insurgents and save thousands of american lives .
Dick Cheney was the chief of the Justice Department.