John McCain, Lindsey Graham Slam CIA Spying As 'Worse Than Criminal'

The Central Intelligence Agency's infiltration and possible manipulation of computers belonging to Senate oversight investigators was "worse than criminal" and needs to be investigated, two key Republican senators charged Friday.

CIA Director John Brennan, who previously had adamantly denied the spy agency pried into the data of Senate Intelligence Committee staffers, admitted Thursday that it did, and apologized. He said a review board led by former Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.) would investigate the matter.

But Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.) -- echoing the demands of some Democrats -- said an internal review by the very agency that misled Congress about its own actions is far from adequate.  "To me, this is a very big deal, and an apology is not enough," said Graham, who added that Congress cannot simply let the matter fade away with the summer recess.  "This is out of a movie," McCain said. "I really never believed that an agency of government, particularly with the capabilities of the CIA would carry out such actions, which is clearly unconstitutional. In some ways it's worse than criminal."

The CIA's snooping on the Senate came as staffers were working on a massive investigation of the torture committed by the agency in the earlier days of the war on terror after the 9/11 attacks. The "enhanced interrogation" techniques were since halted and banned by President Barack Obama. The results of the probe have been compiled in a report of more than 6,000 pages. A redacted, declassified version is expected to be released soon...