Colin Powell, former Secretary of State and a man who knows a thing or two about the military, called the investigation and hearings around the 2012 attack on the American diplomatic compound in Benghazi a "stupid witch hunt," according to a newly discovered email.
The December 2015 email, obtained by the website DC Leaks and reported on by Buzzfeed News, shows that Powell, while writing to another former Secretary of State, Condoleeza Rice, placed the majority of the blame on U.S. Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, who was killed in the attack.
“Benghazi is a stupid witch hunt," Powell wrote. "Basic fault falls on a courageous ambassador who thoughts Libyans now love me and I am ok in this very vulnerable place.”
“But blame also rests on his leaders and supports back here," Powell continued. "Pat Kennedy, Intel community, DS and yes HRC [Hillary Rodham Clinton].” "Completely agree," Rice replied.
Hillary Clinton, who was Secretary of State at the time of the attack, was ultimately cleared of any wrongdoing, but not before a $7 million investigation that produced a giant 800-page report. Despite the results of the investigation, Clinton is being sued by the parents of two U.S. citizens killed in the attack.
With the release of the email, many wondered why neither Powell nor Rice spoke up publicly.
