Vice President Dick Cheney nominated School of Foreign Service graduate David Addington (SFS ‘78) at the beginning of November to replace his indicted Chief of Staff Lewis “Scooter” Libby.
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Addington, 48, has advocated for expansion of presidential powers and limiting terrorism suspects’ rights while working as special assistant to Cheney. In some cases, the Chronicle reports that Addington “overshadowed then White House counsel Alberto Gonzales in shaping debates with the Departments of Justice, State and Defense.”
Anthony Arend, professor of government and director for the Institute of International Law and Politics expressed concern with Addington’s lack of support for the McCain Amendment. The amendment, passed last month, prohibits interrogation methods utilizing torture and abuse.
“If the United States relaxes the rules for the treatment of detainees, might that precedent lead other states to do the same?” Arend said. “In other words, the U.S. actions could have the effect of leading to a greater deterioration of a well-established rule of international law.”
After graduating from Georgetown, Addington attended Duke University Law School and has since served on numerous committees in Congress including committees on Intelligence and investigating the Iran-Contra scandal. Under the Reagan administration, Addington worked as deputy-assistant in legislative affairs to the President.
