The Report (2019) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Daniel Jones was chosen by Senator Dianne Feinstein in early 2009 to lead the investigation because he had already spent two years looking into the 2005 destruction of CIA interrogation videotapes. His prior work on that specific case made him the logical choice to spearhead a much larger review of over six million pages of CIA documents related to enhanced interrogation techniques.

• daniel jones
• senator feinstein
• investigation lead
• cia documents

The CIA destroyed the interrogation videotapes in 2005 to conceal evidence of their enhanced interrogation techniques. The destruction prevented future investigators, including Jones's team, from seeing exactly what had occurred during the interrogations, though Jones was still able to uncover substantial evidence through documents and testimony.

• cia tapes
• destruction
• evidence
• interrogation videotapes
• cover-up

After the September 11 attacks, President George W. Bush authorized the CIA to capture and detain suspected terrorists. The CIA then contracted psychologists Bruce Jessen and James Elmer Mitchell to implement enhanced interrogation techniques, which included waterboarding, sleep deprivation, and other methods classified as torture.

Foreshadowing: The authorization followed directly from the urgent meetings between DCI George Tenet and President Bush in the days after September 11.

• enhanced interrogation
• eit
• authorization
• president bush
• cia
• torture
• waterboarding

The CIA misled the Department of Justice by claiming Abu Zubaydah was a high-ranking Al-Qaeda operative when they knew he was not. This false information resulted in DOJ approval for the use of enhanced interrogation techniques on him, making Zubaydah the first detainee subjected to torture. Jones later uncovered evidence proving the CIA knew the truth about Zubaydah's status.

• abu zubaydah
• torture
• cia
• department of justice
• misinformation
• first detainee

The Panetta Review was an internal CIA critique that concluded no unique intelligence was gained through the use of enhanced interrogation techniques. It also highlighted that contractors Bruce Jessen and James Elmer Mitchell, who designed the EIT program, were inexperienced and received substantial compensation for their controversial methods.

• panetta review
• intelligence
• cia contractors
• jessen
• mitchell
• unique intelligence

The CIA initiated an unwarranted search of Daniel Jones's office in retaliation for his relentless pursuit of the truth. This search violated the separation of powers agreement between the legislative and executive branches, representing a direct attack on Congress's investigative authority.

• cia retaliation
• daniel jones office
• separation of powers
• constitutional violation

After the report was published, no CIA personnel faced criminal charges for their actions. Shockingly, many individuals involved in the interrogation program were promoted, with one even ascending to become Director of the CIA. Daniel Jones resigned from his position in this environment of impunity.

• accountability
• promotions
• cia directors
• no prosecution
• resignation

Senator John McCain, who had personally experienced torture as a POW in Vietnam, became a crucial ally in advocating for the report's release. After Republicans gained Senate control in the 2014 midterm elections, McCain worked alongside Senator Feinstein to deliver a powerful speech supporting the report's release, helping overcome CIA resistance.

• john mccain
• senate
• torture survivor
• report release
• advocacy

Gul Rahman was a detainee who died from hypothermia due to CIA interrogation methods. His death represented one of the most shocking discoveries for Jones and his team, highlighting the severe and fatal consequences of the enhanced interrogation techniques and strengthening the case for accountability.

• gul rahman
• death
• hypothermia
• cia interrogation
• detainee death

FBI agent Ali Soufan represented the FBI's approach, which relied on rapport-building and traditional interrogation techniques. In contrast, the CIA employed harsh enhanced interrogation techniques. Soufan testified that crucial intelligence was actually gathered from Abu Zubaydah before the CIA took over the interrogations, questioning the effectiveness of EITs.

• fbi
• cia
• ali soufan
• interrogation methods
• rapport building
• effectiveness

Medical professionals within the CIA, including physician assistant Raymond Nathan, were aware that enhanced interrogation techniques were being classified as torture. Despite expressing concerns to upper management, they were met with stern reprimands. Nathan personally witnessed Abu Zubaydah's traumatic experience during waterboarding.

• medical professionals
• raymond nathan
• physician
• waterboarding
• concerns
• cia oversight

Half of Daniel Jones's team departed when the Department of Justice initiated its own inquiry into the CIA's practices. Some team members felt that having two simultaneous investigations would create complications or potentially compromise their work, though Jones continued with his remaining colleagues April and Julian.

• department of justice
• investigation team
• departures
• daniel jones
• complications