The FBI approved a book manuscript in 2023 from Michael Clarke, a retired agent who led the investigation into the Benghazi terror attack. Clarke shared that agents felt political motives influenced the Justice Department's decision-making, limiting their ability to capture several suspects involved in the Sept. 11, 2012 attack. In his upcoming book, he reveals frustrations experienced by investigators during President Obama's administration when they identified key conspirators but struggled to get necessary approvals for operations to apprehend them.
Clarke pointed out specific issues, particularly with then-FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, who was perceived as delaying the authorization for military action against key suspects due to political considerations, especially relating to the 2016 election. Clarke explained that while agents understood the White House could choose to delay operations for political reasons, it was unexpected that top FBI officials would consider politics in operational decisions.
Testifying in 2017, McCabe acknowledged that only one suspect, Ahmed Abu Khatallah, was brought to justice, citing complexities in the investigation. Other officials claim that Clarke's team identified many suspects, but only a few were prosecuted. Patel, who worked in the DOJ's counterterrorism office, stated that they faced significant delays from agency leadership despite overwhelming evidence against multiple Benghazi attackers.
Clarke’s manuscript details how the investigation was hampered by the refusal to create an “executive memo” that would allow for the capture of suspects. The Justice Department and FBI's lack of action led agents to pursue alternative measures, including drone strikes, to hold suspects accountable. Patel also voiced concerns about political motivations behind the delay in capturing Benghazi attackers.
The New York Times previously challenged Patel’s claims about the investigation, citing anonymous sources who suggested he exaggerated his role. They also disputed the number of identified suspects, saying the government failed to capture most of them. However, Clarke's account corroborates Patel’s frustrations about the inability to apprehend multiple attackers due to bureaucratic delays.
Clarke also mentions that in March 2016, both the Department of Defense and the U. S. Attorney's Office supported plans to apprehend the suspects but were stalled by McCabe. As months passed toward the 2016 election, agents suspected that senior officials' politics were obstructing progress on the investigation. He noted fears that suspects would evade capture and potentially launch further attacks.
Clarke raised concerns about McCabe’s political connections, particularly relating to donations received by McCabe's wife, which were linked to a prominent Democrat. Despite acknowledging the donations, McCabe denied they influenced his work. Clarke expressed collective frustration among agents towards the inaction and emphasized their hope that whoever won the election would prioritize operational decisions over political concerns.
Overall, the narrative points to a troubling interaction between politics and law enforcement during a critical investigation, highlighting the challenges and ongoing pursuit of justice for the Benghazi attack.
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