Former CIA officer seeks Trump pardon for disclosing waterboarding program

In 2007, former CIA counterterrorism officer John Kiriakou publicly exposed the agency’s “enhanced interrogation” program, describing the waterboarding of suspected al-Qaeda member Abu Zubaydah. His testimony brought widespread moral scrutiny and later led to a 30-month federal prison sentence for leaking classified details. Six years after his conviction, Kiriakou has formally applied for a presidential pardon from Donald Trump, claiming that whistleblowers should not be jailed.

He said a senior administration official indicated the pardon could be granted within hours, but the process remains uncertain. The request arrives amid criticism that Trump is using his clemency power to aid politically connected criminals. Kiriakou’s case highlights ongoing controversy over U.S. torture practices and the limits of presidential pardon authority.