That’s not what State Department officer Eric Nordstrom told Congress. Via the Los Angeles Times:
A State Department officer who worked in Libya has told congressional investigators that he requested more security for the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi months before it came under terrorist attack but that he received no reply from Washington, according to documents and interviews.
Eric Nordstrom, a regional security official at the U.S. Embassy in Tripoli until July, told investigators that he sent two cables to the State Department in March and July and asked that more diplomatic security agents be assigned to the lightly guarded compound in Benghazi.
The State Department acknowledged Wednesday that it rejected appeals for more security at its diplomatic posts in Libya in the months before a fatal terrorist attack in Benghazi as Republicans suggested that lapses contributed to the deaths of the U.S. ambassador and three other Americans.
…
Security officials on the ground “repeatedly warned Washington officials of the dangerous situation” in Libya, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, said in his opening statement. “Washington officials seemed preoccupied with the concept of normalization.”
Twitter calls B.S.:
Why no protestors? Biden blames intelligence community, says "we" weren't told abt security concerns? Joe didn't hear abt cong hearings.
— Karl Rove (@KarlRove) October 12, 2012
Biden: "We weren't told they wanted more security?" Really? Better check your facts VP!
— Michael Steele (@MichaelSteele) October 12, 2012
Biden: "We weren't told they wanted more security there" A flat-out lie by the VP. #tcot #gop
— Brian Schimming (@BrianSchimming) October 12, 2012
Biden:'We weren't told there was a need for extra security' will haunt him into tomorrow and beyond.
— Jay Weber (@JayWeber3) October 12, 2012
What a lie…RT @RedAlert: Biden "We weren't told they wanted more security."
— Jenny (@Jenny103143) October 12, 2012
Recommended
https://twitter.com/DVarnam/status/256564056285138944
Biden: "We weren't told they wanted more security." Good God, man!
— toddstarnes (@toddstarnes) October 12, 2012
Update:
Via AP:
Charlene R. Lamb, a deputy assistant secretary for diplomatic security, told lawmakers she refused requests for more security in Benghazi, saying the department wanted to train Libyans to protect the consulate. “Yes, sir, I said personally I would not support it,” she said.
Megyn Kelly says Biden’s statement is “directly contrary” to what State officials told Congress.
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