In 2008, Leon Panetta denounced torture as "illegal, immoral, dangerous and counterproductive." And on his first day of Senate testimony, Panetta blurted out the truth: the CIA used "extraordinary rendition" to send captives to despotic countries (like Egypt and Syria) for torture.
That inconvenient truth freaked out Sen. Kit Bond (R-MO), who demanded Panetta stop telling the truth. Sadly, Panetta immediately caved. And then Panetta promised to protect CIA torturers against prosecution. While this doesn't close the door to prosecuting those who ordered torture, Jonathan Turley is very concerned - and rightfully so.
http://www.democrats.com/panetta-defends-torturers