Final Benghazi Report Critical Of Obama Administration's Response
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- House Republicans released a report on the U.S. consulate attack in Benghazi, Libya that killed four Americans including a U.S. ambassador.
After two years, 107 interviews, and more than $7 million - the House Select Committee on Benghazi released the report into the deaths - including that of U.S. Ambassador to Libya, Chris Stevens.
The report is critical of the Obama administration's response during and after the attack.
"No U.S. military asset was ever deployed to Benghazi despite the order of the SEC of defense," said Rep. Trey Gowdy.
The Republican-written, 800-page report also found the following:
- The administration was politically motivated to cite an internet video as a motivation for the attacks and not terrorism, which is ultimately the motive.
- The State Department failed to provide better security for the Benghazi consulate leaving it vulnerable.
- Members of the Obama administration stonewalled the Congressional investigation.
"I believe the government failed its people and lied to the public in the aftermath," said Rep. Martha Roby.
The White House says the conclusions from this report are no different than any of the other Congressional investigations.
"I thought it was over after the first five investigations, this was the eighth," said White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest.
The report is critical of then Secretary of State Hillary Clinton but Republicans on the committee insist she was not the focus.
"Speaker Boehner asked me to find out what happened to four of our fellow citizens and I believe that is what I have done," said Rep. Gowdy.
Democrats on the Benghazi committee, and Hillary Clinton, who led the State Department, brushed aside the criticism.
"It's time to move on," said Clinton.
At an event in Denver, Clinton said no one has lost more sleep over the four lives lost than she has and that American diplomacy cannot withdraw from dangerous places.
Perhaps the most lasting impact of the committee's investigation was the revelation that Secretary Clinton used a private email server during her time at the State Department.
"We owe it to those brave Americans to make sure that we learn the right lessons from this tragedy," said Clinton.
The State Department says it is working to implement lessons learned from the tragedy to prevent future incidents.
The Benghazi report also lists 25 recommendations aimed at strengthening security for American personnel serving overseas.