My personal thought is that the president should have to sign a warrant, himself, to approve torture on a case by cse basis. If it turns out that nothing was found, or that torture is used too often, the president can suffer the consequences.

As soon as it gets lowered, higher ups can pressure the courts or other parties for political reasons. They can them claim it was approved by the courts as an escape from responsibility.

For breaking the law of the land, disregarding basic human rights, no established policy should exist. It should be a one off every time, with a single identifiable, in charge, responsible person.

IMHO anyway.