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Judicial Watch files suit to expedite release of Benghazi documents.

Big Al
June 19, 2017
Judicial
Watch' />

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: 202-646-5188
June 19, 2017


Judicial Watch Asks Court to Order State Department to End Slow Dragging on Benghazi Cover-up Documents

(Washington, DC) – Judicial Watch announced that it asked a federal court to order the State Department to end its “slow dragging strategy” in producing documents regarding the handling of requests about the false talking points used by then-Ambassador Susan Rice to talk about the 2012 terrorist attack on the U.S. mission in Benghazi, Libya. The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit seeking the documents was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia (Judicial Watch vs. Department of State (No. 1:17-cv-00205)).

Rice, in the wake of the attacks in which four Americans were killed, was dispatched to five Sundaynews programs to falsely claim the Benghazi attack was the result of a “spontaneous” protest against an “anti-Islamic” internet video.  Separate Judicial Watch litigation into the Benghazi talking-points scandal led to the discovery of the Hillary Clinton email issue and to the creation of the House Select Committee on Benghazi.

On May 26, the State Department informed Judicial Watch that the department’s “searches have uncovered in excess of 3,100 potentially responsive documents.”  On June 1, the State Department disclosed that the documents consist of approximately 51,329 potentially responsive pages.

The State Department initially proposed a production schedule that Judicial Watch argued would “carry out the rolling production of responsive documents by more than 30 months (to December 2019).”  The State Department then amended the proposal to extend its production to October 2018.

Judicial Watch asked the court to order the State Department to produce all “non-exempt responsive records” in three monthly productions, with a final production on or before September 30, 2017.

On March 15 the State Department was ordered to produce documents. Judicial Watch argued in its filing that:

The State Department’s two productions included a total of 22 documents released in full.  During the course of approximately 10 weeks, [the State Department] processed and reviewed only 108 documents in response to [Judicial Watch’s] FOIA request (as 86 documents were withheld in full) – an average of 10 documents per week or 4 documents per business day.

“The Trump administration needs to put its foot down and stop the Deep State from protecting Hillary Clinton and the Obama gang,” Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton said.  “It is disheartening to see the Trump administration stall the release of documents about the Benghazi covers up.  President Trump needs to take direct action to ensure the truth come out about the Benghazi scandal.”

The suit was filed after the State Department failed to respond to a December 2, 2016, FOIA request seeking:

  • All records related to the processing of the FOIA request served on the State Department by Judicial Watch, Inc. on May 13, 2014. All tasking, tracking, and reporting records for searches conducted in response to the request should be considered responsive. Forms DS-1748 and any “search slips,” “search tasker,” and “search details,” also should be considered responsive.
  • All internal State Department communications that relate to the processing of or search for records responsive to the FOIA request, including any guidance about how and where to conduct the searches, whether and how to search the emails of then-U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, and any issues, problems, or questions regarding the searches and/or search results.
  • All records that relate to the State Department’s discovery, prior to February 2, 2015, that additional searches for record responsive to the FOIA request were necessary. In this regard, the State Department represented in a February 2, 2015 status report filed in litigation regarding the FOIA request that:
In the course of preparing additional information to provide to [Judicial Watch] for purposes of settlement discussions, [the State Department] has discovered that additional searches for documents potentially responsive to the FOIA [request] must be conducted.
  •  All records that identify the location(s) or source(s) of potentially responsive records that necessitated the “additional searches ..”

Previously, Judicial Watch filed a June 21, 2013, FOIA lawsuit about the Benghazi talking points that produced a declassified email showing then-White House Deputy Strategic Communications Adviser Ben Rhodes and other Obama administration public relations officials attempting to orchestrate a campaign to “reinforce” President Obama and to portray the Benghazi consulate terrorist attack as being “rooted in an Internet video, and not a failure of policy” (Judicial Watch v. U.S. Department of State (No. 1:13-cv-00951)).

Discussion
66 Comments
      Jun 19, 2017 19:08 PM

      Maybe not………….Billy got around…..

    CFS
    Jun 19, 2017 19:23 PM
    Jun 19, 2017 19:36 PM

    WH now having no audio , na vidieo news conferences !! What ??? Spicer to be made some other position ??Rumors. Why not just have regular briefings only once a week /?? Why not a deal with DEMS to expedite lower court judgeships ?? Give DEMS one judge for every 2 judges preappoved by leadership . A deal that works for everyone .Trump has only nominated 10 lower court judges [6 were apporved] but 292 need to be filled . Plus many judges are 70s or 80s and want to retire soon. DEALMAKER WHERE ARE YOU ???? S

      Jun 19, 2017 19:20 PM

      who needs any judges for the masses, ….the real criminal are in washington……

    Jun 19, 2017 19:45 PM

    REPUBLICAN leadership [ add to above ] S

    Jun 19, 2017 19:22 PM

    Bill Clinton son wishes dad Happy Father’s Day
    http://www.theamericanmirror.com/bill-clinton-son-wishes-dad-happy-fathers-day/

    Danney Williams‏Verified account @danney_williams

    Even though you abandoned me and only took care of Chelsea, I still want to thank you for giving me life. Happy Father’s Day @billclinton.

      Jun 19, 2017 19:57 PM

      I think Danney Williams should change his name to Bill Clinton JR., it’s only fitting if your father abandons you before you are born but continues to support a daughter Chelsea, who doesn’t look like either her parents because she has a weak chin. Who is Chelsea’s father? DT

        Jun 19, 2017 19:15 PM

        I believe that would be Web Hubbell.

          Jun 19, 2017 19:21 PM

          Good one Ebo…………..

          GH
          Jun 20, 2017 20:40 AM

          I was thinking Huma Abedin…but she’s a bit young. I guess Web Hubbell is more likely 😉

            GH
            Jun 20, 2017 20:41 AM

            Maybe Mikechelle Obama?

        Jun 20, 2017 20:02 AM

        Chelsea has the same fat lower lip and receding chin as webster Hubbell.

    Jun 19, 2017 19:50 PM

    Need to go after Central Banking, Banksters, Treasury, PPT, ESF, BIS, Regulators, many Presidents, and most of Congress.

      Jun 19, 2017 19:33 PM

      BIg Ditto on that one……

    Jun 19, 2017 19:52 PM

    Add whoever were the 5 votes for Citizens United.

    Jun 19, 2017 19:54 PM

    Hilly and Mueller…….meet on tar mac…..to transfer uranium sample to Russia……………..zh……..

      Jun 19, 2017 19:54 PM

      wiki my-my leak…….

      Jun 20, 2017 20:42 AM

      Maybe we could verify the news report with mr Frank G……since he was a beneficiary of the uranium deal………..just saying……I am starting to question the crowd surrounding the mining sector.

    Jun 19, 2017 19:30 PM

    Megan Kelly trying to trap Alex J……should be telling a lot about how serious the issue is getting…….

    Jun 19, 2017 19:36 PM

    OBAMA is to blame for the death of OTTO W>…………

      Jun 19, 2017 19:38 PM

      Jimmy Carter was a better Pres than Obama

        Jun 19, 2017 19:06 PM

        Yup, and Carter was blamed for the stagflationary effects of Nixon’s actions.

    Jun 20, 2017 20:02 AM

    obama…….locked up info in presidential library for 5 yrs………..zh this will impede the true investigation……anything mueller does is a witch hunt.

      Jun 20, 2017 20:04 AM

      deep state really getting nasty, hope the american people can see through this tangled mess………

        Jun 20, 2017 20:08 AM

        If, the presidential lock down is only for 5 yrs…..I hope the investigators, go after the Clinton Library info….

          Jun 20, 2017 20:40 AM

          Supposedly , Gowdy sent two Federal Marshals to the Clinton Library, and both wound up in the woods in plastic bags……..(maybe fake news, but, there are a lot of bodies surrounding the clintons and that is a fact)

      Jun 20, 2017 20:04 AM

      MTF…..has the article on FOIA….on obama library lock up….on prior post…..for anyone who wants to read…or go to zerohedge

    AJ
    Jun 20, 2017 20:33 AM

    Chris Stevens’s Family: Don’t Blame Hillary Clinton for Benghaz
    http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/chris-stevenss-family-dont-blame-hillary-clinton-for-benghazi

    Every day the State Dept gets requests for more security – there is just no money available for all wishes. With a projected 30% cut in the Trump budget this will only get worse folks.

    CFS
    Jun 20, 2017 20:05 AM

    LONDON (AP) — British regulators charged Barclays bank and four former executives, including then-CEO John Varley, with conspiracy to commit fraud when they asked Qatar for a cash infusion to avoid a government bailout at the height of the financial crisis in 2008.

    The Serious Fraud Office announced the charges Tuesday following an investigation into two rounds of fundraising from Qatar in June and October of 2008. The probe centered on two side agreements under which Barclays paid the Qatari investors 322 million pounds ($406 million) over five years, the bank disclosed in 2013.

    The question at the heart of the case is whether Barclays hid from authorities and other shareholders the true nature of the fundraising plan with Qatar.

    The charges are the first in Britain against a bank and former executives for activities during the 2008 financial crisis. They are a blow to current CEO Jes Staley, who is trying to rebuild Barclays’ reputation after a series of scandals. The bank is already facing litigation from the U.S. Department of Justice and a Financial Conduct Authority probe of allegations that Staley tried to uncover the identity of a whistleblower.

      Jun 20, 2017 20:35 AM

      Going after some of the small fish, so the deep staters go free……..

        Jun 20, 2017 20:40 AM

        I think they should be looking at some of Corslims corruption, but, they will not, because he has connections……………

    Jun 20, 2017 20:21 AM

    GE pension fund…..short $31 Billion…….no wonder Immelt is stepping down…….
    Im melting down………..

    Jun 20, 2017 20:26 AM

    Bond payments canceled by German bank……..here we go……. zh

    CFS
    Jun 20, 2017 20:51 AM
    CFS
    Jun 20, 2017 20:01 PM

    Here we go again…..

    When will Europeans wake up to the FACT that Islam has declared war on the civilized West?
    https://twitter.com/AFP/status/877252827512528897/photo/1

    CFS
    Jun 20, 2017 20:06 PM

    When will Trump realized he is being advised by people with an ax to grind or are stupid?
    It was Russia who was fighting ISIS and driving them back. Was not that more important than Exon’s pipeline competition from Russia? Do you really want war with Russia you stupid RINOs?

    CFS
    Jun 20, 2017 20:22 PM
    CFS
    Jun 20, 2017 20:14 PM

    Loonie Tunes?

    Canada passed a law Thursday making it illegal to use the wrong gender pronouns. Critics say that Canadians who do not subscribe to progressive gender theory could be accused of hate crimes, jailed, fined, and made to take anti-bias training.

    Canada’s Senate passed Bill C-16, which puts “gender identity” and “gender expression” into both the country’s Human Rights Code, as well as the hate crime category of its Criminal Code by a vote of 67-11, according to LifeSiteNews. The bill now only needs royal assent from the governor general.

    “Hate” crime? Really?

      Jun 20, 2017 20:40 PM

      Canadians should be real proud of this bill……

    CFS
    Jun 20, 2017 20:05 PM

    If you really want to understand Climate Change, hear is a discussion you should listen to:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PIRz2tv6nk

    If you believe in anthropomorphic CO2 global warming after listening to this, you are just plain stuipid.

    Jun 20, 2017 20:14 PM

    You Trumpists : Hey you could have had Carliee Fiorina , or Gov. John Kasich . instead you have President HUFF AND PUFF . When are we going to realize the RePUBS got conned . I think in the end you are going to see he really is not worth what he said he was money wise.. Also look at Gov Criss Cristy , never got a cabinet post , yet he stuck by him when the Pussy grab video came out. Being Trumps friend is worse than being his enemy !! Scott

      Jun 20, 2017 20:54 PM

      This too much, guy who’s always praying for sanity is a fan of neocon Fiorina. No surprise, of course, after everything else you post.

      Left or right, most people are too stupid to recognize what their best interests are or who the sanest candidate is in any election.

      Rand Paul on Blocking Indefinite Detention and Saudi Arms Sales’
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWadlrFil54

    CFS
    Jun 20, 2017 20:24 PM

    Of course Islam is not at war with the West….

    https://www.yahoo.com/news/latest-paris-police-man-drove-police-vehicle-143103811.html

    None so blind as those that keep their eyes and brain shut.

    Jun 20, 2017 20:13 PM

    Sean Hannity show Fox…….6/21/2017……..Levin covers why Mueller should go….start about 21min. mark……..Constitution prohibits lawsuits on a setting President. DoJ in the past have agreed to this according to Levin for the last 44 yrs.

      Jun 20, 2017 20:15 PM

      The lawsuits prohibit a setting president to do the daily work for the people who voted the president into office…..according to the Constitution.

    CFS
    Jun 20, 2017 20:34 PM

    Greg Hunter interviews Danielle DiMartino Booth…..

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWhdx28vD-I

    Says Fed is trying to sabotage Trump.

      Jun 20, 2017 20:37 PM

      Wonder what her first clue was………..

      Jun 21, 2017 21:42 AM

      Great interview………

    Jun 21, 2017 21:42 PM

    Jerry why are you always listening to FOX news ??? WOW . BBC news is muxh more rationable . check all news sources dont watch FOX 24 /7 . Trump will be dumped by Ryan and the other REPUBS as soon as they are ready .I would not be suprised if Trump has massive sweetheart loans from russian bankers at 3 or 4 % short term rates . Rates you and i could never get. Billionare MAYBE s

      Jun 21, 2017 21:46 PM

      hello russell, you assume to much……..
      I do not listen to Fox 24/7….only to people who are close to the truth…..
      I do listen to BBC, early morning, thank you
      Trump does not need Ryan , and most of the Repubs are one part of the TWO HEADED SNAKE, …go back to Andrew Jackson concerning the parties.
      Go read silver steelers .net, and bring yourself up to speed. The US has been hijacked but, you will need to spend years to get a master’s degree in politics and history and religion………….Peace ……………..

        Jun 21, 2017 21:50 PM

        No insult is meant by my reply……..thanks for the thoughts…….

    Jun 22, 2017 22:56 PM

    Trump admits his lie of 41 days ago . He had no tapes of Comey in his office. LOVE affair with Trump will cause many of you to have Heartaces . Trying to go long some Treasuy notes 7 year using an ETF . small profit is all i seek . Slow churn up as investors realize the FED is having little effect on longer term interest rates. Pray for sanity S

    Jun 22, 2017 22:07 PM

    Meanwhile REX Tilerson and Gen Matis are actually running the country [ thank GOD ] Trump is running around in front of ignorant crouds , avoiding runing the country and State , Treasury, and Defense are fun by cabinet as Trump is largely ignorant of what is going on. FAntasy President as counry is governed by others. Why are we paying this mans salary ???? I am not wild about pence , but i will sleep beter at night if he gets it. He would be smart is he declines it and gives it to Ryan instead , but thats another idea i thought of. VP is a great job with much less pressure . Best of health and wealth to you all S

    Jun 22, 2017 22:20 PM

    Cant believe anyone thinks Hillary will still go to jail , or any new thing will be discovered about the mess in Bengazi . Hillary was a lousy Sec of State we all know that, so these documents will only confirm not change anything. Trump care looks even more compilcated than obama care was. Wow S