Obama's actions on night of Benghazi attack under scrutiny

White House calls probes a partisan witch hunt

As House investigators gear up for a new probe of Benghazi, one question they’ll likely pursue is what President Obama did or didn’t do on the night that the terrorist attack was unfolding 20 months ago.

While much attention has focused on Susan E. Rice’s “talking points” that blamed the Benghazi attack on an anti-Islam video, the White House has largely ducked questions about Mr. Obama’s actions during the crucial hours when U.S. officials were debating how, or whether, to rescue the Americans under attack at U.S. consulate in Libya.

Four U.S. citizens died, including Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, the first U.S. ambassador to be killed in the line of duty since 1979.

The White House said Wednesday it has provided “remarkable cooperation” on seven previous congressional probes into Benghazi. And an Obama aide criticized a Republican fundraising email that mentioned the new probe, saying it’s evidence of a partisan witch hunt.

“I think that tells you just about all you need to know when it comes to assessing the political motivations of those who are leading the effort to form this committee,” said White House deputy press secretary Joshua Earnest.

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