Free Treason by Newt Gingrich, Pete Earley Page B

and began searching through them. “Has there been a written change in our Constitution?” he asked facetiously. “The last time I read it, Congress had oversight responsibilities.”
    â€œNo, Mr. Chairman,” Harper replied, without trying to conceal the disgust in her tone. “The president is not telling you what you can and can’t investigate.” Shooting a glimpse at Grainger, she continued, “Clearly mistakes were made in Mogadishu. And the president has asked Director Grainger to conduct an internal investigation. But holding a congressional hearing at this time would not be prudent and, in fact, could greatly aid our enemies.”
    â€œAnd exactly how would investigating the embassy takeover ‘affair’ be aiding our enemies?”
    â€œExposing our vulnerabilities in Somalia could make our embassies throughout Africa and the Middle East easier targets for ISIS, Al-Qaeda, or other radicals.”
    â€œMs. Harper,” Stanton said, as if he were lecturing a student, “I have been chairman of this committee a long, long time and I have never once—”
    â€œThat’s correct,” Harper said, daring to interrupt him. “All of us are well aware of your longevity. House rules impose an eight-year limit on how long a member of Congress can serve on this committee, but your colleagues have given you a permanent exemption for the past two decades. I’m certain you are aware of how important the president and our party’s support of your leadership has been.”
    Her comment caught him off guard. Nearly all threats in Washington were hidden between the lines and Stanton suspected Harper was making one now. She was warning him that the president would lobby his colleagues to have him removed as chairman if he pushed for a hearing into Somalia.
    â€œMr. Chairman,” Grainger said, rejoining their conversation, “I don’t believe anyone is trying to stop you from holding a hearing into what happened in Mogadishu.”
    Stanton knew that was exactly what Grainger and Harper both were doing, but he let the CIA director continue speaking.
    â€œAll we are suggesting is that you wait,” Grainger said in an accommodating voice. “The embassy was attacked four months ago. We need adequate time to investigate it thoroughly.”
    More time
, Stanton thought,
for you to cover up mistakes
. Stanton decided to play their game.
    â€œAnd when do you anticipate this internal probe of yours to be finalized?” he asked.
    â€œObviously, we are moving as fast as we can,” Grainger replied, “and making great progress, but speed is not as important as thoroughness, wouldn’t you agree? You mentioned Benghazi. Remember all of the accusations and confusion sparked by that embassy attack? You must give us time to collect and verify our information. Rushing a hearing also could adversely impact our search for those responsible.”
    â€œHow would my conducting a hearing adversely impact your hunt for terrorists, such as the Falcon?”
    â€œQuestions asked during a hearing could inadvertently reveal our investigative techniques and sources,” Grainger responded.
    This is what always happens with the CIA
, Stanton thought.
Claim that transparency would jeopardize national security.
    Stanton leaned back in his office chair. Why had the president sent her White House chief of staff and CIA director to dissuade him? Was it possible there was more to this scandal than what he’d already learned, something beyond the NSA intercept that had given the agency a four-hour warning? Was the White House also hiding information from him, his committee, and the American people? Stanton had heard rumors that President Allworth had secretly agreed to pay Al-Shabaab terrorists a ransom if the hostages being held in Mogadishu were freed before the November president elections. That would be a scandal on par with the legendary