Issa Responds to President’s Comments on Benghazi Whistleblowers

WASHINGTON – House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Darrell Issa (R-CA) made the following statement in response to President Barack Obama’s assertion that he’s “not familiar” with Benghazi whistleblowers being blocked from telling their stories:

“A lawyer for Benghazi whistleblowers has publicly stated that the State Department is blocking her client’s ability to talk freely with counsel.  Over the past two weeks, I have sent four letters requesting that this Administration make information available about how lawyers – who already have security clearances and are representing Benghazi whistleblowers – can be cleared to fully hear their clients’ stories. I have yet to receive any response from the Obama Administration.

“Even if the President really doesn’t know anything about someone wanting to come forward, his position should be that whistleblowers deserve protection and that anyone who has different information about Benghazi is free to come forward to Congress.  The President’s unwillingness to commit himself to protecting whistleblowers only aids those in his Administration who are intimidating them.”

Issa’s four letters requesting that the Administration make information available for lawyers representing Benghazi whistleblowers:

4/16/13 letter to Department of State

4/16/13 letter to Central Intelligence Agency

4/16/13 letter to Department of Defense

4/26/13 letter to State Department

Click here to read about a counsel for a State Department whistleblower being blocked from helping her client.