SC Pols Respond to Attack on American Embassy in Libya

The members of South Carolina's Congressional delegation have responded to the attack on the American Embassy in Benghazi, Libya which killed Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other embassy staffers on Tuesday.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (in conjuction with Senators John McCain of Arizona and Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut): 

“We are anguished and outraged by the death of four citizens of the United States, including Ambassador Chris Stevens, during an attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi. Our thoughts and prayers go out to their families.

“Chris was one of America’s finest and bravest diplomats, and also someone we considered a friend. In the midst of last year’s uprising in Libya, Chris traveled at great personal risk to Benghazi to represent the country he loved as the U.S. envoy to the Libyan opposition. He advanced American interests and values in Libya and stood with the Libyan people throughout their struggle for freedom and during the challenging times that followed. His death at the hands of extremists is a tragic and awful loss for the people of both the United States and Libya.

“There is still much we do not know about what happened in Benghazi yesterday. What is clear, however, is that the attackers must be apprehended and punished. We appreciate that senior Libyan leaders have condemned these cowardly attacks, and we now look to the Libyan government to ensure that the perpetrators are swiftly brought to justice, and that U.S. diplomats are protected. We have confidence that our own government will provide all necessary assistance to this end.

“Yesterday’s attack is a tragic and terrible reminder that – despite the hopes of the Arab Spring – the forces of violent extremism in the Middle East are far from defeated, and that the revolutions inspired by millions of people who dream of freedom and democracy can still be hijacked by small groups of violent extremists who are eager to kill to advance their evil ideology.

“Despite this horrific attack, we cannot give in to the temptation to believe that our support for the democratic aspirations of people in Libya, Egypt, and elsewhere in the broader Middle East is naive or mistaken. We cannot resign ourselves to the false belief that the Arab Spring is doomed to be defined not by the desire for democracy and freedom that has inspired millions of people to peaceful action, but by the dark fanaticism of terrorists.

“To follow this misguided path would not only be a victory for the extremists and their associates, but a betrayal of everything for which Chris Stevens and his colleagues stood and gave their lives. In short, it would be a betrayal of our own best ideals as Americans and our own enduring interest in using our great influence to support the overwhelming majority of people in the Middle East who want to be free from the kinds of murderers and terrorists who killed our people yesterday in Benghazi.”

Sen. Jim DeMint:

“The death of Ambassador Chris Stevens, American Foreign Service Officer Sean Smith and two other Americans is an outrage. Governor Romney is absolutely right, there is no justification for these deadly attacks and we should never apologize for American freedom. Islamic radicals will use any pretext to justify their hatred of America and our freedom.

“It was disheartening to hear the administration condemn Americans engaging in free speech that hurt the feelings of Muslims, while real atrocities have been repeatedly committed by Islamic radicals against women, Christians, and Jews in the Middle East.

“American freedoms are not to blame for the terrorist attacks of 9/11 or the apparently coordinated attacks on yesterday’s anniversary. Islamic extremists are to blame and we must work with officials in Libya and Egypt to ensure those who attacked our embassies are brought to justice.

“These attacks raise serious questions about whether we were properly prepared and about the effectiveness of our policies and foreign aid in these nations. We need to get the facts on these attacks, the ongoing threats to America in these countries, and rethink our policies in Libya and Egypt going forward.”

Rep. Trey Gowdy:

“These attacks are deplorable and those responsible must be brought to swift, certain, and final justice.”

Rep. Mick Mulvaney (via Facebook):

"My thoughts and prayers are with the families of Ambassador Stevens and the 3 other Americans killed in Libya."

Rep. Joe Wilson:

“This morning’s act of unprovoked, horrific violence, resulting in the brutal death of Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other Americans in Benghazi, is senseless and will not be tolerated.  I condemn these attacks as my thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s families.  The Administration must do everything in its power on behalf of the American people to seek justice on those who perpetrated this act of terrorism.

“Ambassador Stevens and his brave colleagues worked tirelessly to help the Libyan people establish a democracy during a time of civil unrest.  Their efforts are appreciated by the American people and will never be forgotten.  With such instability occurring in Benghazi and Cairo, the United States must send a very clear message to the extreme insurgents who dwell on destroying our freedoms.  These terrible acts of violence will not suppress our mission of promoting democracy and peace.”