Former Vice President Dick Cheney criticized former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for her actions during the 2012 attacks in Benghazi, Libya, and said she “bears responsibility” for the State Department’s actions and “will be held accountable” during a potential 2016 White House run.
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Cheney addressed the terrorist attacks at the American consulate in Benghazi, Libya, during an appearance on “Fox News Sunday.”
“She was Secretary of State at the time that it happened — she was one of the first in Washington to know about it,” the former vice president told host Chris Wallace. “I think she clearly bears responsibility for whatever the State Department did or didn’t do with respect to that crisis.”
Cheney also noted that Clinton “will be held accountable” during the course of the presidential campaign — if she decides to run.
“I do think it’s a major issue,” he said. “I don’t think we’ve heard the last of it yet.”
After months of stonewalling by the Obama administration, the House of Representatives voted to form a select committee to investigate the Sept. 11, 2012, attacks that left four Americans, including Ambassador Chris Stevens, dead.
House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) appointed Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) to head the committee. Democrats have largely spoken out against its need and have yet to appoint any lawmakers to sit on the committee.
Republicans, though, argue the Obama administration, including Clinton, deceived the American people about the nature of the attacks, largely for political reasons. The White House originally argued the attacks were the result of an anti-Islamic YouTube video, yet later disclosed the terror attacks were linked to al-Qaeda.
Cheney and his wife, Lynne, appeared on “Fox News Sunday” in their first joint interview since leaving office.
The former vice president also slammed President Obama on foreign policy and called him a “weak president” for how he handled the situations in both Ukraine and Syria.
“He’s demonstrated repeatedly, I think, that he, in fact, can be pushed around, if you will, by Putin,” Cheney said.
