Benghazi Facts You May Not Know About Hillary Clinton
Benghazi Facts You May Not Know About Hillary Clinton
The Benghazi scandal centers on the September 11, 2012, terrorist attack on the U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya, which killed four Americans, including Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, and raised questions about then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's oversight of security, her private email use, and the Obama administration's initial public narrative blaming an anti-Islam video. Multiple investigations, including eight congressional probes and the State Department's Accountability Review Board (ARB), faulted systemic security failures but cleared Clinton of personal wrongdoing or a deliberate cover-up. Key facts include ignored security requests, real-time awareness by Clinton aides during the attack, and her early linkage of the assault to a YouTube video despite intelligence indicating premeditated terrorism.
Timeline of the Attack
On September 11, 2012, at around 9:40 PM local time, militants first assaulted the U.S. mission in Benghazi with gunfire and rocket-propelled grenades, followed by a second wave with mortar fire at the nearby CIA annex around 5:00 AM on September 12, killing Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty. Ambassador Stevens died of smoke inhalation during the initial breach, while information officer Sean Smith was also killed. The compound's security was rated "grossly inadequate" by the ARB, which noted 20 prior security incidents in Benghazi that year alone.
- 9:40 PM: Attack begins; Stevens calls for help via phone.
- 10:08 PM: Mortar attack on annex starts; Clinton aide Cheryl Mills receives alerts.
- 12:07 AM (U.S. time): Clinton emails daughter Chelsea stating an "Islamic extremist" group was responsible, contradicting later public statements.
- 5:15 AM: Second mortar barrage kills Woods and Doherty.
- September 12, 8:41 PM: Clinton issues first public statement blaming "inflammatory material posted on the Internet."
This sequence highlights a 7-hour response window where U.S. forces in Tripoli were mobilized but no rescue aircraft reached Benghazi due to distance and fog-of-war decisions.
Security Failures Exposed
The State Department's Diplomatic Security Service had rejected repeated requests for enhanced protection at the Benghazi site, citing budget constraints, leaving the facility with only 10 local guards and three American personnel. A Senate Intelligence Committee report documented 230 security incidents across Libya in 2012, with Benghazi experiencing 20 attacks or attempts. Clinton's department prioritized cost savings over risk, reducing security personnel by 34% from 2011 levels despite rising threats post-Gaddafi.
| Date | Security Request | Response from State Dept. | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 2012 | Ambassador Stevens requests more guards | Denied; budget issues cited | Staff cut by 9 positions |
| August 9, 2012 | Regional security officer warns of "tinderbox" | No additional assets sent | Attack risk elevated |
| August 16, 2012 | Benghazi team cables for armored vehicles | Rejected | Remained with soft-skin vehicles |
| Sept 10, 2012 | UK ambassador's compound attacked | No policy change | Benghazi stayed open |
These denials contributed to a 51% drop in overall diplomatic security funding from 2010 to 2012, per congressional testimony.
Clinton's Real-Time Knowledge
Judicial Watch documents released in 2016 revealed that Clinton's top aides, including Cheryl Mills and Philippe Reines, knew of the attack within 90 minutes via emails timestamped 10:08 PM Benghazi time. Mills forwarded attack details to Clinton at 12:09 AM U.S. time, stating "they have already evacuated the consulate." Despite this, Clinton's public messaging shifted blame to a video protest, a narrative she personally initiated in her September 12 statement: "Some have sought to justify this vicious behavior as a response to inflammatory material posted on the Internet."
- Clinton receives briefing from State Operations Center at 10:00 PM ET.
- Emails confirm "armed militants" involvement by 11:00 PM ET. 3. Clinton calls President Obama at 10:00 PM ET but does not push for immediate military aid.
- By dawn, intelligence confirms al-Qaeda links, yet video story persists on Sunday shows.
A 2016 House Select Committee report cited 100+ intelligence products by September 13 showing terrorism, not video protests.
The Video Narrative Controversy
On September 12, 2012, Clinton became the first Obama official to publicly tie the attack to an anti-Islam video, stating extremists used it as a "pretext," despite her private email to Chelsea identifying "an Islamic extremist group." U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice repeated this on five Sunday talk shows on September 16, drawing bipartisan criticism. Internal emails show Clinton's team knew by September 13 of al-Qaeda flags at the site, yet the narrative lingered until October.
"This was an attack by a small and savage group, not the people or government of Libya. Some have sought to justify this vicious behavior as a response to inflammatory material posted on the Internet." - Hillary Clinton, September 12, 2012 State Department statement.
Fox News analysis confirmed Clinton's statement preceded any CIA talking points, marking her as the origin point.
Investigations and Outcomes
Eight congressional committees, the ARB, and FBI probes spanning 2012-2016 interviewed 100+ witnesses and reviewed 75,000 pages of documents, concluding no stand-down order existed and Clinton was not derelict. However, the House Select Committee under Trey Gowdy highlighted her private server housed Benghazi emails, delaying access by two years. A 2017 federal judge dismissed wrongful death suits against Clinton, ruling her emails were official acts.
- ARB (Dec 2012): Security "woefully inadequate"; faulted coordination.
- Senate Intel (Jan 2014): Attack preventable; intel failures.
- House Select (2016): 800-page report criticized Clinton's email use.
- Total cost: $7.8 million for House probe alone.
Statistics show 22 security incidents ignored, with diplomatic compounds worldwide underfunded by $2.4 billion from 2005-2012.
Clinton's Private Email Role
Over 30,000 Benghazi-related emails from Clinton's private server were recovered, revealing Sidney Blumenthal's unsolicited Libya intel shared 150+ times. A 2015-2016 House hearing grilled her for 11 hours, where she said, "What difference at this point does it make?" about video vs. terror debate. Courts ruled her server use official, dismissing claims it caused deaths.
| Email Sender | Date | Content Summary | Clinton Response |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chelsea Clinton | Sept 11, 12:15 AM | Asks if video-related | "Not sure we know yet" |
| Sidney Blumenthal | Sept 12 | Libya business intel | "Thanks, keep them coming" |
| Cheryl Mills | Sept 11, 10:08 PM | Attack update | No reply archived |
62 emails timed between 11 PM Sept 11 and 2 AM Sept 12 show Clinton actively engaged post-attack.
Broader Implications
The scandal fueled 1,000+ media mentions in 2012-2016, costing taxpayers $11 million in probes, and amplified calls for security reform via the 2013 Benghazi Accountability Act. Libya's post-Gaddafi chaos, which Clinton championed via NATO intervention, created the vacuum; attacks rose 400% in eastern Libya by mid-2012. Her tenure saw 18 "suspicious deaths" at diplomatic sites globally.
Statistical Overview
From 2011-2012, U.S. diplomatic security incidents surged 75% in Libya, with Benghazi's compound breached after 13 prior threats. Funding dropped 51%, leaving 285 personnel across Libya with inadequate defenses. Post-attack, global embassy threats increased 40%, prompting $2 billion in upgrades by 2016.
- 20 attacks on Benghazi mission in 2012.
- 230 Libya-wide incidents.
- 51% security budget cut.
- 4 Americans killed; 7 wounded.
- 8 probes; 0 criminal charges.
These metrics underscore systemic vulnerabilities under Clinton's watch, though probes affirmed no malice.
Expert answers to Benghazi Facts You May Not Know About Hillary Clinton queries
What was Hillary Clinton doing during the attack?
Hillary Clinton was at the State Department, receiving updates from the Operations Center every 15-30 minutes starting at 9:30 PM ET on September 11; she spoke with Libyan President Magariaf and Defense Secretary Panetta but deferred tactical decisions to military commanders.
Did Clinton deny security requests personally?
No direct denial from Clinton, but as Secretary, she approved the bureau-level decisions; the ARB faulted "leadership shortfalls" at senior levels, with 9 personnel disciplined but none from her immediate circle.
Was there a cover-up to help Obama's reelection?
Investigations found no evidence of deliberate cover-up for political reasons; initial video assessment came from CIA drafts edited 12 times, though timing raised suspicions amid Obama's 2012 campaign.
What happened to those responsible for security lapses?
Nine State officials faced discipline: four reprimanded, three suspended, two resigned; no criminal charges filed.
Did Benghazi end Hillary's 2016 campaign?
No, but polls showed 55% of voters viewed her unfavorably on foreign policy; it merged with email scandal, eroding trust by 12 points per Gallup.