Graham: I’ll block Hagel, Brennan nominations

Still searching for the truth behind the Sept. 11 Benghazi terror attacks, Sen. Lindsey Graham on Sunday said he’ll block two key Obama administration appointments until he gets answers.

Speaking on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” Mr. Graham, South Carolina Republican, revealed that he intends to place a hold on the nominations of John Brennan, tapped to be director of the CIA, and former Sen. Chuck Hagel, the president’s pick to lead the Defense Department.

“I don’t think we should allow Brennan to go forward for the CIA directorship, Hagel to be confirmed for secretary of defense until the White House gives us an accounting” of what really happened in Benghazi, Libya, on the day that Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and three other Americans were killed.

Democrats wasted no time in blasting Mr. Graham’s plan.

“This is unprecedented, unwarranted,” said Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island, also appearing on “Face the Nation.”

“The men and women of the Department of Defense need a secretary,” he said.

Specifically, Mr. Graham said he wants to know whether Mr. Obama called Libyan authorities while the Benghazi attacks were taking place. A six-person rescue team had flown to Benghazi from Tripoli to defend the American Consulate but were detained at the airport by Libyan officials. If they weren’t held up, Mr. Graham said, at least two Americans could have been spared.

“Did the president ever pick up the phone and call the Libyan government [and say to] let those people out of the airport?” Mr. Graham asked. “Did the president at any time during this eight-hour attack pick up the phone and call anyone in Libya to get help for these folks? There’s no voice in the world like the president of the United States.”

Moving forward, Mr. Graham promised that there will be “no confirmation without information” and that Mr. Brennan and Mr. Hagel will not confirmed until the White House provides a satisfactory explanation of the Benghazi attacks.