Meghan McCain bites back at Liz Cheney: 'My father doesn't need torture explained to him'

Jessica Estepa | USA TODAY

Rep. Liz Cheney tried to explain torture to Sen. John McCain.

And Meghan McCain, the Arizona Republican's daughter, wasn't having it.

This week, John McCain called on the Senate to closely examine the background of Gina Haspel, the CIA director nominee, over her involvement with programs that used brutal interrogation techniques on detainees in U.S. custody.

The torture of detainees in U.S. custody during the last decade was one of the darkest chapters in American history. The Senate must do its job in scrutinizing the record & involvement of Gina Haspel in this disgraceful program. https://t.co/p2eZfMDF5N — John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) March 13, 2018

Cheney, a Wyoming Republican and daughter of former vice president Dick Cheney, replied that the programs had saved lives and appeared to accuse the senator of slander.

The Enhanced Interrogation Program saved lives, prevented attacks, & produced intel that led to Osama bin Laden. The techniques were the same as those used on our own people in the SERE program. No one should slander the brave men & women who carried out this crucial program. https://t.co/IXQuldr1R6 — Liz Cheney (@Liz_Cheney) March 13, 2018

Meghan McCain wouldn't let that stand.

My father doesn’t need torture explained to him. https://t.co/ajrtr7Vn5A — Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) March 15, 2018

And for understandable reasons: John McCain was tortured while he was held prisoner 5½ years during the Vietnam War. He's been a critic of torture ever since.