Republican frontrunner Donald Trump today called for the return of waterboarding, a near-drowning interrogation technique denounced as torture, saying it was "peanuts" compared to what the so-called Islamic State is doing.
It was the latest in a series of inflammatory Trump responses to the threat of terrorism in the wake of the Paris attacks that appear to have bolstered his poll numbers.
A new Washington Post/ABC News national poll showed Mr Trump leading the Republican presidential field with 32%, a 10 point lead over his nearest rival, Ben Carson.
Mr Trump, who ignited controversy earlier this week by calling for a registry of all Muslims in the United States, stepped up the hardline rhetoric in an interview with ABC News in which he advocated the use of simulated drownings, known as waterboarding, in interrogations of terrorism suspects.
"I would bring it back. I think waterboarding is peanuts compared to what they'd do to us, what they're doing to us, what they did to James Foley when they chopped off his head.
"That's a whole different level and I would absolutely bring back interrogation and strong interrogation," he said.
Waterboarding, which was used by the CIA in interrogations of at least three 9/11 suspects, was banned by US President Barack Obama shortly after assuming office in 2009.
Meanwhile, Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton is to propose a $6,000 tax credit for costs associated with caring for elderly and disabled family members, and allowing caregivers to accrue Social Security retirement benefits for such work.
The caregiving tax credit will be the latest in a "range of tax cuts aimed at boosting the take-home pay for middle-class families" that Ms Clinton will announce over the coming weeks, according to a campaign aide.
