Fox News
Expand
Browse All Video
Watch Live

You're watching...

Rep. King: Petraeus story a crisis of 'major proportions'

Details

  • Description

    New York congressman weighs in on scandal

  • Duration 6:41
  • Date

Clips

Also in this playlist...

Editor's Picks

Auto-advance: ON

Auto-advance
View All

Transcript

This transcript is automatically generated

Size the FBI's handling of this Petraeus investigation.

Mr.

chairman welcome back to the program I want to get your thoughts on this because I know you believe that this is a major crisis why.

They're really doing most on the Intelligence Committees from looking forward -- a meeting on Thursday with the other.

And actors involved but now as far as why I believe it -- -- -- wrong by the FBI first of all to have.

Something like this and cyber harassment case rise to a level of an FBI investigation then when did reach the CIA director at.

Have the FBI investigated director of the CIA.

I'm the president and -- the attorney general -- been notified of it to me there's a dereliction of duty General Petraeus was a key component of the present foreign policy team.

The president if he was not so.

-- been -- and that to me was to be really dropping the ball.

And here's your they would make the whole thing employers below this level 456 month investigation ever was nothing comes out -- close and then suddenly on election night.

The FBI announces investigation is over and -- -- general clapper the next day the White House finds out about it the next day General Petraeus -- his resignation.

Friday the president accepts the resignation then we find yesterday the FBI raiding.

The home of Paula brought well then we find out general Allen has been involved in that emails.

With that Joseph Kelly.

They have like 45 different events happening in the last seven days went -- -- 65 or six months nothing happened on.

And let me jump in let me -- -- so many names and so much you know.

-- -- And I think that the viewers may be confused -- that that the top line item here is that the general admits General Petraeus.

The head of our CIA admits to having this affair with -- with -- now the woman we know -- his biography biographer.

But now there are questions about cool in the administration knew and can you explain it to the viewers were sitting at home thinking this man is a decorated war hero he's responsible for it.

The architecture of the successful surge in Iraq which saved a lot of lives.

Why they need to care about his marital indiscretions.

As head of the CIA.

It's always felt that so -- finished -- position or espionage position is vulnerable to blackmail if they're having an affair any kind of sexual involvement at all.

And that is been really like that it is accepted throughout the decades that the person in opposition cannot allow himself to be subject to blackmail.

And that would have been a possibility with General Petraeus.

OK excellent to be there -- go through the virus so is it possible that the FBI that they started investigating this because some woman named Jill Kelly down in Florida contact their FBI friends.

And reportedly and -- -- -- getting harassing emails from this woman turns out to be brought well the FBI.

Starts to look into because they're friends with his Kelly.

And they find -- -- wells emails may find out to her that she's had an affair with the CIA director which -- raises a whole host of other questions.

Now when they find out isn't a possible they say all right.

It's not good at it but it's Petraeus is private business it's in is -- a -- shouldn't of had wolf we you know we'll tell somebody -- we we don't have to bring it to a White House level.

-- I I strongly disagree with them -- I believe that the director of the FBI.

Knowing how essential General Petraeus was to the president -- General Petraeus -- throughout the last several months -- around the world are we negotiating.

Special arrangements -- other countries that he had unique relationships where he was refusing the US he was it sort of person very vulnerable position of any of those.

People out have learned of this of his indiscretions as you well.

And so the president should have known the president should -- made the final decision.

Q why want this person not representing our country under these circumstances right and -- only -- it's important the president.

And we mr.

chairman thank you for waiting and and listening to that I want to get your reaction to let's just start off.

With this question he was asked whether the White House knew what what was this what was the knowledge at the White House.

With respect to the Petraeus affair when did -- know.

And this is how Jay Carney spoke to that issue.

While I would refer you to the FBI they have as -- as I understand it protocols in place for when they notify.

-- legislative and executive branch is investigations.

And -- it is simply a fact.

Then it.

The White House was not aware.

Of how the situation regarding General Petraeus until Wednesday.

And the situation regarding general -- until Friday so.

You know the -- the FBI -- a place to go in terms of an -- explanation of the protocols they -- But I understand that that is the the answer that they'll -- that the and there are protocols they follow that that govern how they.

Inform the various branches of government of these kinds of investigations -- you -- your thoughts on that mr.

chairman.

A virtual as far as informing congress Leon Panetta the secretary of defense -- -- -- -- CIA director says that congress should have been informed.

Some want as far as the White House.

No the FBI -- say -- protocols as far as -- Turkmenistan's as far as from investigation.

He would talk about -- foreign policy leader General Petraeus the president as commander in chief.

Has to -- so when an integral part of his Steve.

If that person is -- -- cloud is being investigated.

In a way that you compromise his performance as CIA director that should trump everything we're not talking not reveal any secrets -- General Petraeus which talking about the president knowing.

Being told remember his team.

Is as as -- Then -- -- be compromised and is within the scope of a the major investigation so I I don't accept that at all the FBI should have told them.

And that should should be the policy and we have we'll find out if whether or not -- when the White House hadn't factored told me.

-- -- the Wall Street Journal which is owned by the same parent company as Fox News Channel.

Is reporting that attorney general Eric Holder knew in September that at least the attorney general of the United States -- the information about Petraeus in September.

And yet it was not.

Supposedly shared with the white house with the with the president until last Wednesday do you find that plausible or acceptable.

I don't find implausible it's possible and if -- if that's the way it was done it was wrong it was improper.

I can't believe that -- cabinet -- sitting cabinet member a close advisor -- the president would allow the president is sending General Petraeus around the world.

On these high level top secret missions.

Knowing that this was hanging over General Petraeus -- head.

That again should trump everything the president's main drivers be commander in chief.

And this was important for him to know he can then decide whether or not he wanted to keep General Petraeus on that team keeps early on these -- Indeed a quick answer does Petraeus need to testified before congress about Libya.

Absolutely.

Thank you to mr.

chairman thank you for being here we'll see whether it happens we appreciate -- director.

Load More