CLEVELAND — A member of the security team that was in Benghazi, Libya during the Sept. 11, 2012 terrorist attack says Hillary Clinton failed to protect her team on the ground that night — but that Donald Trump will have Americans’ backs.
“Thank you America for showing us the support and dedication that should have been offered by Hillary and her State Department to those who saved their butts,” Mark Geist, a member of the annex security team in Benghazi that night, says in prepared remarks released by convention organizers Monday.
Benghazi is not about politics, Mr. Geist is to say, but about opportunities.
“Opportunities taken when we defied stand down orders and opportunities squandered when Hillary Clinton failed to protect her people on the ground,” he says. “Had she done her job, we would not have had to compromise the annex.”
In contrast, Mr. Trump is someone who will “have our backs” and “lead with strength and integrity,” Mr. Geist is to say.
Mr. Geist is one of the featured speakers scheduled to address GOP activists on the opening night of the Republican National Convention, when the theme is “Make America Safe Again.”
Willie Robertson, one of the stars of “Duck Dynasty,” likewise says that whether it’s a serviceman fighting overseas or a police officer at home, Mr. Trump will “have your back,” according to excerpts of his planned address.
“I promise you that Donald Trump knows that the primary role of the president is to keep us safe,” retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn says in an excerpt of his prepared remarks.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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