U.S. president Barack Obama addressed the nation on Friday, admitting that the government had engaged in torture after the 9/11 attacks.

"We did a whole lot of things that were right, but we tortured some folks," Obama said, assuring that he has full confidence in CIA director John Brennan.

Obama's statement comes as a 600-page investigation on the CIA will be released by the Senate Intelligence Committee in the coming week.

The CIA admitted Thursday that it had been spying on the Committee's computers. Brennan apologized afterward.

Even though Obama said torture wasn't justified, he went on to state that "a lot of those folks were working hard under enormous pressure and are real patriots."

Obama told reporters that techniques were used because the United States was afraid more attacks were imminent. 

Since Obama took office in 2009, he banned government officials from using "interrogation techniques," such as the controversial "waterbording."

It is unclear whether the Senate report will lead to measures against those involved in such practices, but Brennan spoke today at CIA headquarters to ease the fears of employees.