Donald Trump reverses policy over torture of terror suspects

Leading US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has backtracked on the torture policies he had advocated during his campaign, including authorizing the military to kill family members of terror suspects.

In a statement to The Wall Street Journal on Friday about his views on the brutal interrogation of terror suspects, Trump said he would “use every legal power that I have to stop these terrorist enemies.”

“I do, however, understand that the United States is bound by laws and treaties and I will not order our military or other officials to violate those laws and will seek their advice on such matters,” he added.

Trump’s new position Friday came after months of insisting that he wouldn’t back down on the issue of torture.

During Thursday’s Republican presidential debate in Detroit, Michigan, Trump stood by his earlier promise to do things that were a “hell of a lot worse” than waterboarding to terrorist suspects, and also to authorize the military to kill family members of terrorists.

Trump’s policy shift came after condemnation from former cabinet members, lawmakers as well as military and legal experts, some of whom denounced him as "utterly unfitted to the office" of president.

Michael Schmitt, director of the Stockton Center for the Study of International Law at the US Naval War College, said in an interview with The Wall Street Journal that ordering the military to torture terror suspects would violate Article 17 of the 1949 Geneva Conventions.

Schmitt said people who participate in torture, as well as their superiors and even the US government, could face war crimes charges for such behavior.

Trump's surge toward the Republican presidential nomination following recent election victories has left his party in disarray and has gave fresh urgency to efforts by Republican strategists and donors to halt his race.

The New York billionaire is facing millions of dollars in attack advertisements from a range of groups tied to the GOP political elite and conservative movement.

Trump, who has never held elected office, is leading the race despite the fact that his campaign has been marked by controversial statements, including with disparaging remarks about Mexican immigrants and Muslims.

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