Former CIA official says politics ‘never’ influenced Benghazi reports
The week’s Benghazi hearings appear to have squashed allegations that the Obama administration and political motivations were behind the deleted references to terrorism and the warnings that preceeded the attack which left four dead.
Mike Morell, former CIA deputy director, took personal responsiblity for deleting references to terrorism warnings from widely disputed talking points on the deadly 2012 Benghazi attack to avoid sending out declassified information and increasing criticisms of the State Department.
“I never allowed politics to influence what I said or did. Never,” he said.
Morell deleted references to extremist threats linked to al-Qaida in versions of the talking points that were used by Susan Rice, then U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, in a series of Sunday talk show appearances. Morell said his actions were driven by the information provided by intelligence community analysts and the Defense Department.
He said the CIA knew that some of the individuals involved in the attack were al-Qaida from classified sources, information that couldn’t be included unless it was declassified.
“None of our actions were the result of political influence in the intelligence process — none. . . . The White House did not make any substantive changes to the talking points, nor did they ask me to.” He called the talking points — which turned out to be wrong — “the best available information at the time.”
Morrell was asked: Did he have a conversation with anyone at the White House about the nature of the talking points?
“No, sir.”
Morrell basically creates cover for Rice, who from the talking points, even though the talking points were incomplete or completely false.
“What she said about the attacks evolving spontaneously from a protest was exactly what the talking points said,” he added.
“I am aware of several requests by CIA for military support that night, and those requests were honored and delivered.”
The Benghazi investigation continues with four new subpoenas to people who have knowledge of the events
Benghazi safehouse on fire following the September 11 attack photo supplied by State Dept
