Washington D.C. – House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Adam Smith made the following statement in response to the release of the transcripts of interviews with military officials who were in the chain of command during the attack in Benghazi nearly two years ago:

“The release of the transcripts today underscores a number of important points. First and foremost, our military did everything it could to save American lives in Benghazi. The military responded appropriately, quickly, to the best of its ability at that time, and no “stand down” order was ever issued. Any suggestions to the contrary are offensive and downright wrong.

“The transcripts tell a tantalizing story of Americans trying to understand what was happening in Benghazi and save the lives of their countrymen. It was a frantic and difficult effort and unfortunately four brave Americans died. But it was not due to a lack of effort or a government conspiracy, as some continue to claim.

“The deaths of Ambassador Christopher Stevens, Sean Smith, Glen Doherty, and Tyrone Woods are tragic. We should continue to honor all those who put their lives on the line for our country and always remember that serving in a place such as Libya can be extremely dangerous and volatile, regardless of who is President and no matter how much preparation takes place.

“However, since the attack in Benghazi we have watched Republicans desperately and obsessively search for a scandal, which has not appeared.  It is time to move forward, take the real conclusions we have arrived at and establish how to best protect Americans serving around the globe.”

Read the transcripts linked below:

Transcript 1 LTC Defense Attache

Transcript 2 LTC Office of Security Cooperation

Transcript 3 LTC Military Trainer

Transcript 4 LTC Current Operations Director (SOCAFRICA)

Transcript 5 Brigadier General Scott Zobrist

Transcript 6 Rear Admiral Brian Losey

Transcript 7 Rear Admiral Richard Landolt

Transcript 8 Vice Admiral Charles Leidig Jr

Transcript 9 General Carter Ham