Says torture could have prevented Brussels attacks and backs waterboarding and "a lot more"

In TV interviews on March 22, 2016 after the Brussels terrorist attacks, Trump argued that harsh interrogation techniques like waterboarding "might have prevented" the bombings and said he would approve "a lot more" than waterboarding, insisting that "torture works" and that the United States had to be "tough." Rather than focus on the attackers' networks or policy failings, he used the moment to normalize war-crimes rhetoric as a campaign applause line, pushing the GOP further toward openly embracing torture.

"We have to change our thinking. We have to be tough. We have to be strong. Waterboarding would have been fine and, if they could expand the laws, I would do a lot more than waterboarding." — March 22, 2016 CNN interview reacting to the Brussels terrorist attacks, where Trump claimed torture might have prevented the bombings and endorsed going beyond waterboarding