Ensign backs Judge Bybee in torture memo controversy

WASHINGTON — As the spotlight grew more intense on federal Judge Jay Bybee, a least one senator stepped forward today to defend the Las Vegan and the opinion he signed that provided a legal green light for rough interrogations of suspected terrorists.

Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., said calls for Bybee to be removed from his seat on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals were “outrageous.”

“To call for him to be impeached when he was trying to give the proper legal advice is just ridiculous,” Ensign said. “You impeach people for ethical violations, for criminal violations. It would be like impeaching a member of Congress because they voted the wrong way.”