The first Morning Jolt of the week begins with a reminder…
Out of Roughly 150 Benghazi Attackers, Only One Has Been Brought to JusticeRemembering the Perpetrators of That Other Terror Attack
This is the five-year anniversary of the conclusion of Operation Neptune Spear, the successful operation that killed Osama bin Laden. It’s probably the greatest moment of the Obama presidency.
There’s another moment related to terrorism that is increasingly forgotten, despite the impassioned pledges that justice would prevail.
President Obama, September 13, 2012: “Make no mistake, we will work with the Libyan government to bring to justice the killers who attacked our people.”
Obama, October 26, 2012: “My biggest priority now is bringing those folks to justice and I think the American people have seen that’s a commitment I’ll always keep.”
Obama, June 2014: “It’s important for us to send a message to the world: that when Americans are attacked, no matter how long it takes, we will find those responsible and we will bring them to justice.”
That 2014 comment came after the capture of Ansar al-Sharia commander Ahmed Abu Khattala, accused of being one of the masterminds of the attacks.
Khattala is the only figure arrested or killed in response to the attacks; there were about 150 perpetrators. It’s been three years and nearly eight months since the Benghazi attacks.