2012 Benghazi attack

On the night of September 11, 2012, the U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya, was attacked by a group of armed militants. The attackers set the main diplomatic building on fire, leading to the deaths of U.S. Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, and U.S. Foreign Service Information Management Officer Sean Smith. The attack also sparked a firefight at a nearby CIA annex that lasted for several hours.

Following the attack on the U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi, the U.S. government decided to evacuate all U.S. personnel from Benghazi. Survivors were transported to the airport under heavily armed U.S. military escort, and departed the city. The evacuation was necessary due to the compromised security situation and ongoing threats in Benghazi after the attack.

A memorial service was held for the four American victims of the Benghazi attack, including Ambassador Chris Stevens, in Washington D.C. The ceremony was attended by President Barack Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and other government officials. They paid tribute to the courage and dedication of the diplomats and security personnel who died in the line of duty.

U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice appeared on several television talk shows, stating that the Benghazi attack seemed to be a spontaneous reaction to an inflammatory anti-Islamic video circulated online. Her comments became controversial and were scrutinized as more information about the nature of the attack emerged, leading to significant political debate and accusations of misleading the public.

The first congressional hearing on the Benghazi attack took place on October 10, 2012. The hearing was held by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. The focus was on security failures and the lack of appropriate measures to prevent the attack. Testimonies were given by officials from the State Department and the diplomatic security service.

David Petraeus resigned as CIA Director, following revelations of an extramarital affair. His resignation, which took place in the wake of the Benghazi attack, added another layer of complexity to the political situation as the attack was being investigated. The affair was discovered during an FBI investigation, which led to conspiracy theories and political discussions about the implications.

An independent review board, known as the Accountability Review Board, released a report on the Benghazi attack. The report highlighted 'systemic failures' in security at the Benghazi compound. It criticized the State Department for inadequately handling security requests from embassy staff prior to the attack. The report led to the resignation of several senior officials within the department.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton testified before Congress about the Benghazi attack. Her testimony addressed questions about what happened during and after the attack, security lapses, and the State Department's response. Her dramatic response 'What difference, at this point, does it make?' became particularly notable. She acknowledged the loss and stepped up to accept responsibility on behalf of the State Department.

Greg Hicks, a former deputy chief of mission in Libya, testified at a House Oversight Committee hearing about the Benghazi attack, providing firsthand accounts of the events as they unfolded. Hicks criticized the State Department's response to the attack and the lack of military support, adding that he was criticized and demoted following his initial pushback on the narrative presented by the White House.

The United States House of Representatives voted to establish a Select Committee on the Events Surrounding the 2012 Terrorist Attack in Benghazi. The committee was tasked with investigating the handling and response to the attack, and included members from both parties. This action was seen by some as politically motivated, leading to extensive partisan debate on the issue.