On MSNBC Tuesday, executive director of the ACLU Anthony Romero explained that the best way to deal with the Bush-era “torturers” is for President Obama to deem them criminals through executive pardon.

Romero began his remarks by emphasizing in his most emotive tone his shared “sadness” with Rachel Maddow of MSNBC about the newly-released report showing what he said proved that we had “betrayed our most fundamental values” by using “torture” tactics after 9/11 to gain important intel to prevent future terrorist attacks.

Romero: Let’s step back. I want to join you in the sadness I saw in your eyes before. What a terrible day for America. […] The idea that we have purposely and consciously engaged in torture is truly something that should make every American shudder. And the thing that I find so depressing […] is just how these individuals who were involved in the torture programs are unrepentant.

Romero then presented his solution to handling these “unrepentant” Bush administration “criminals”: Pardon them, thus effectively putting it on the record that America officially deems torture as a criminal act, while allowing Obama to not look completely tyrannical, or something.

Exchange begins around the 4 minute mark.

Video via MSNBC.