Part 1/3:
A Personal Recollection of a Critical Moment in White House History
A Morning Exit and a Questioned Legitimacy
It was a typical day as the president exited the White House through the south portico, heading towards a helicopter that would take him to Camp David for the weekend. As he emerged, a reporter was quick to shout a question, catching him off guard. In response, the president turned and offered a pointed remark: "Well, if there is torture, it's because of a rogue CIA officer." This brief exchange not only highlighted the tense atmosphere surrounding the issue but also underscored the difficulty in addressing such sensitive topics publicly.