Mike Rogers & Benghazi

Published 8:00 am Tuesday, May 27, 2014

The Obama Administration has not been forthcoming about the 2012 terrorist attack on the American diplomatic post in Benghazi, Libya, Third District U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers has said.

The Republican congressman voted earlier this month for House Resolution 567, which would create a committee to investigate the attack, in which members of international terrorist networks killed U.S. Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and three other Americans.  The president and some high-ranking cabinet officials have been criticized for indecisiveness in its aftermath.

“The Obama Administration has yet to tell the truth about the attacks on September 11, 2012,” Rogers said.  “It’s unfortunate we’re spending time searching for answers from our own elected leaders rather than rallying around the unique brand of American justice for those who wish to do us harm.”

He added that congressional action should have been taken “a long time ago.”  The attack, a large-scale assault on the American consulate in Benghazi, took place on Sept. 11, 2012.  Terrorists overpowered guards and set fire to the post before those inside could escape or reinforcements could arrive.

“It has been suggested that an investigation is unnecessary because it doesn’t matter how the situation happened,” Rogers said.  “It does matter.  How can keep something like this from happening again if we don’t learn from what happened before?”

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and National Security Advisor Susan Rice have drawn fire for ignoring intelligence warnings that could have prevented the attack and what some consider lack of interest in pursuing those responsible.  Rice was U.S. ambassador to the United Nations at the time, and Clinton has since called a congressional oversight committee “an unnecessary waste of time and resources.”

According to Rogers, cuts in defense spending have prevented the U.S. military from responding to the attacks.  “It is in our national security for the Middle East to settle down and be calm.  Allowing militant groups to do what they want with no consequences is not decisive action.  If we do not exercise our leadership as a super power, it’s going to come back to bite us.”

As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, he pledged to push for “a lot more defense spending.  We need to be sure of two things.  First, if we get in a fight with someone, it’s not going to be a fair fight.  The only question should be is how bad we’re going to defeat them. Second, we take the fight to their territory.  In the matter of Benghazi, the American people deserve the truth, and the lives lost that night deserve justice.”