In what is possibly a reversal of policy with respect to the handling of terror suspects, a U.S. Department of State employee would neither admit nor deny that the Obama administration considers waterboarding a form of torture.

State Department spokesperson Jennifer Psaki appeared before a Friday press conference where she answered questions about allegations made by an Oregon Muslim man claiming he had been tortured, according to the Washington Free Beacon.

On the basis of those allegations, Yonas Fikre filed a lawsuit in federal district court Thursday against both the FBI and State Department, demanding $30 million in damages.

Associated Press reporter Matt Lee tiptoed around the specific claims made in the pending lawsuit to focus on interrogation practices of the FBI and State.

When Lee asked whether torture would ever be employed at the behest of the State Department, Psaki answered in the negative.

“I think you’re referring to — I don’t want to speak to specific details, but that type of behavior — no, we wouldn’t support.” she said.

“Is it correct that this administration believes that waterboarding is torture?” Lee asked, zeroing in on specifics.

“Matt, you’re taking me down quite a rabbit hole here.” she responded.

“It’s not a rabbit hole, it has to do with consistency,” Lee insisted, referring to the administration’s long-standing opinion that waterboarding was torture. “Is it correct that this administration believes water boarding is torture?” he repeated.

“I just don’t think I have anything further to add on this particular case” Psaki said, closing the door on the subject.

Since President Obama’s first inauguration, his administration has reversed itself on a string of issues, including transparency (although it won’t admit it), missile defense (although it won’r admit it) and maintaining a detainment facility at Guantanamo Bay (again, although it won’t admit it).

Could the use of waterboarding be the latest in its long line of reversals?

H/T Washington Free Beacon.

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