Petraeus: Some Form of Patriot Act Must Be Renewed
Former CIA director David Petraeus said while it might need some updating, the Patriot Act needs to be restored in some form.
Key parts of the Patriot Act expired at midnight Sunday, and meanwhile the Senate voted 77-17 to advance a bill that would end the National Security Agency’s controversial collection of phone data records from millions of Americans.
“They have to ensure a balance between the ability to collect what is needed by the intelligence community and law enforcement agencies, and also preserve the rights of privacy of American citizens,” Petraeus told FBN’s Neil Cavuto. “Clearly, [the Patriot Act] has to be renewed in some fashion.
Cavuto asked Petraeus if he has any regrets about the Obama Administration’s prisoner swap of five Taliban prisoners for Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl.
"I think it was a very, very tough and a very, very close call, and I think that's where I'd leave it," Petraeus said.
But, he added, that it is a “reality” that the U.S. military leaves no men behind.
“The way [Bergdahl] fell into the enemy’s hands is immaterial,” said Petraeus. “He’s one of ours, he’s held, he was a prisoner/hostage, and we needed to get him back.”
As for ISIS taking over the Iraqi city of Ramadi, Petraeus maintains confidence that the U.S. will regain control of the city, despite calling its loss an “operational and strategic setback.”