House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mike McCaul is demanding more information from Secretary of State John Kerry about the attack on the U.S. mission in Benghazi, Libya, after a report aired Sunday night that a security officer had warned of a possible assault on the compound by terrorists.
The report on
CBS' "60 Minutes" quoted a British security officer assigned to protect U.S. diplomats in Benghazi, saying he repeatedly warned higher-ups that an al-Qaida affiliated group seemed poised for an attack.
McCaul said he sent a letter to Kerry asking for an explanation and more information about the administration's handling of the tragic incident on Sept. 11, 2012, that left four Americans dead, including Ambassador Chris Stevens.
The "60 Minutes" broadcast also carried an interview with Gregory Hicks, former deputy chief of mission in Libya, who said he placed a call during the attack "to the annex chief [in Benghazi], and I told him, 'Listen, you've gotta tell those guys there may not be any help coming."
The comment really got to McCaul, who said
on "Fox & Friends" Monday that "this was the most disturbing and offensive event of all the tragedy of Benghazi."
"Military teaches us 'no man left behind,' and we left behind our ambassador and a Navy Seal and two Foreign Service officers. We left them behind to die," the Texas Republican said.
McCaul said he is particularly upset with the White House for failing to put any suspects in the attack on a terrorist-watch list that offers a reward for their capture.
"This is a sign from the administration they’re not taking it seriously, it’s not a priority. This could bring these terrorists to justice," he added.
McCaul also said former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton still needs to answer more questions about her handling of the Benghazi situation and suggested at one point that she could pay a political price for it if she decides to seek the presidency in 2016.
"She was behind all of this, and I think it’s going to haunt her in any potential presidential election," McCaul said.
McCaul joined fellow Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina in demanding a better accounting of the administration's actions regarding Benghazi. Graham, also appearing on "Fox & Friends," threatened to block "every appointment" by the administration until survivors of the attack are allowed to testify before Congress.
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