According to a former "senior intelligence official", the White House knew of the existence of the CIA interrogation tapes since 2003 at the very latest, and tacitly approved the destruction of the tapes in 2005 (that's why the White House has instructed its spokesperson not to answer any questions on the subject).

And according to the Director of the CIA, Congress was also informed about the existence of the tapes, and -- later -- of the CIA's intention to destroy them.

So it cannot be argued that only a couple of rogue people in the CIA knew about the tapes and subsequently decided to destroy them. The obstruction of justice of the 9/11 Commission's investigation and of investigations regarding torture were orchestrated by the very highest levels of the U.S. Government.