13-Year Manhunt ENDS—Benghazi Killer Caught

Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the arrest of a key suspect in the 2012 Benghazi consulate terror attack that claimed four American lives, marking a significant breakthrough in a case that exposed catastrophic security failures under the Obama administration.

Story Highlights

Pam Bondi announces arrest of suspect tied to 2012 Benghazi attack that killed Ambassador Stevens and three other Americans
Original attack killed Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, Sean Smith, Tyrone Woods, and Glen Doherty on September 11-12, 2012
Obama administration initially mischaracterized the premeditated terror assault as a spontaneous protest over an anti-Islam video
Attack exposed severe security lapses at poorly defended diplomatic facilities in post-Gaddafi Libya chaos

Bondi Announces Major Arrest in Benghazi Terror Case

Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed the Department of Justice arrested a key suspect connected to the September 2012 Benghazi terror attack. The arrest represents a major development in holding accountable those responsible for the deadliest attack on U.S. diplomatic personnel in decades. The 2012 assault killed Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, Foreign Service Officer Sean Smith, and CIA contractors Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty during a coordinated militant assault on American facilities in Benghazi, Libya. This marks continued efforts under the Trump administration to pursue justice for attacks that previous leadership failed to adequately address.

The 2012 Benghazi Attack: A Night of Terror and Failure

On September 11-12, 2012, Ansar al-Sharia militants launched a coordinated assault on U.S. facilities in Benghazi using grenades, automatic weapons, RPGs, and mortars. The attack began at 9:40 p.m. when armed terrorists breached the diplomatic compound gates with explosives and gunfire. Ambassador Stevens and Sean Smith secured themselves in a safe room as fires engulfed the building, ultimately killing both men. CIA contractors Woods and Doherty died hours later at 5:26 a.m. when mortar fire struck the nearby CIA annex they were defending. The assault lasted over seven hours with delayed rescue efforts and inadequate security.

Obama Administration’s Deceptive Response Fueled Outrage

The Obama administration initially deceived Americans by characterizing the premeditated terrorist attack as a spontaneous protest over an anti-Islam video, a narrative that collapsed within weeks. The Director of National Intelligence revised its assessment on September 28, 2012, confirming the assault was a deliberate act of terrorism by extremists linked to al-Qaeda, not a protest gone wrong. This dishonest framing became a flashpoint during the 2012 election, exposing how the administration prioritized political narratives over transparency about terrorist threats. The deception insulted the memories of four Americans who died defending their country against jihadist violence.

Security Failures Exposed Diplomatic Personnel to Preventable Deaths

The Benghazi facilities operated with catastrophically inadequate security despite repeated warnings and prior attacks on Western targets in the region. Previous incidents included a June 6, 2012, IED blast at the U.S. consulate and a June 10 RPG attack on a British convoy that prompted Britain to withdraw its staff. The diplomatic compound relied on poorly trained local guards from Blue Mountain Group rather than sufficient American security personnel. The CIA annex, located 1.2 miles away, faced delays in mounting rescue operations. Congressional investigations documented systemic preparedness failures that left Americans vulnerable in a hostile environment overrun by militias after Gaddafi’s fall.

The arrest announced by Attorney General Bondi demonstrates the Trump administration’s commitment to accountability that the previous administration failed to deliver. Americans deserve justice for the four heroes killed in Benghazi and transparency about the security failures and deceptive narratives that characterized the Obama-era response. This development reinforces the importance of honest leadership that prioritizes American security over political convenience, ensuring that terrorists who target U.S. personnel face consequences regardless of how much time passes.