In an appearance on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart on Thursday night, President Obama said the administration’s response to the attacks in Libya were not up to par, according to CBS News.
In the interview Stewart said, “I would say, and even you would admit, it was not the optimal response - at least to the American people as far as all of us being on the same page."
Responded Obama: "Here is what I will say, if four Americans get killed it is not optimal.
"And we are going to fix it, all of it," he continued. "And what happens during the course of a presidency, you know the government is a big operation at any given time, something screws up and you make sure you find out what's broken and you fix it."
The comments drew attacks from Republicans “It’s just so inappropriate," said Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., according to Politico. "And I’m sure that the families of those brave Americans are not amused.”
Meanwhile, the Associated Press reported on Friday that within 24 hours of the attack, the CIA station chief in Libya reported to Washington evidence that the assault was carried out by militants and was not the result of a spontaneous demonstration. The administration maintained for a week that the attack was a result of protests.
On Thursday, The Wall Street Journal reported that fresh intelligence casting doubt on the “spontaneous” explanation proffered by U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Susan Rice came in the night before she made her appearances on the Sunday shows, but Rice was not apprised of the changes. Instead, she relied on talking points provided by the CIA, according to The Journal.
Meanwhile, The New York Times published an interview with a suspect in the attack, Ahmed Abu Khattala, who is reportedly living in plain sight in Benghazi without fear of reprisal.
Get the latest news and analysis delivered to your inbox. Sign up for National Journal's morning alert, Wake-Up Call, and afternoon newsletter, The Edge. Subscribe here.
Leave A Comment