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Alberto Gonzales responds to Benghazi investigation

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    Former attorney general on 'America's Newsroom'

  • Duration 7:36
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CIA chief General David Petraeus will -- testify before the House Intelligence Committee.

In a closed hearing that's gonna happen at 7:30.

Tomorrow morning is the schedule time for that lawmakers believe that he is key.

To learning more about the -- Ghazi terror attacks he made a visit there at the end of October to investigate -- -- on his own.

Meanwhile there are new questions.

About why attorney general Eric Holder did not informed the president.

-- the FBI's investigation.

Into General Petraeus until after Election Day.

Holder has known about the investigation according to some of these reports since the summer we know that FBI.

Director Mueller knew since the summer so let's discuss this we're very glad -- -- joining us this morning.

Former US attorney general judge Alberto Gonzales he joins me not just good morning good to have you with us.

Good morning thanks yell -- a lot of elements to this of course but -- let let's start with this issue of Eric Holder.

That we just brought up.

How does it strike you.

In terms of what was going on at the White House and the FBI.

Over the course of this summer -- we know that director Mueller of the FBI I was aware that there was an investigation General Petraeus.

Seems strange she and that that that the president would not be alerted to this fact.

Well I can't speak for.

What's going on in the Obama White House.

-- mama was my FBI -- to -- the attorney general and I suspect at some point this summer Bob -- would have notified the attorney general.

I have reason believe that that the General David Petraeus is involved and a extra marital relationship now.

I would've taken that information which I consider significant.

To the president quite frankly I think the president would want to know that information.

And the president want to know that the person who holds many of the nation's.

That's secrets.

Is engaged in conduct that reflects poor judgment.

I think also the time you know that today we -- now believe the reporting Issa sent.

There was no breach Nash security -- result of this relationship I suspect in the summer we really weren't quite sure that constantly.

In -- might be important for the president and know that in his conversations.

With David Petraeus so from for matters of national security.

I think this would be a reason why the president would want to know.

That the law enforcement community that the FBI had reason to believe that David David Petraeus was involved in this relationship.

Yet he is what you think when you read -- -- of best about the FBI agent.

Who we know was alerted by this woman about what was going on.

You know -- and then when they discovered as you say that they believe that there was no security breach here.

Why that matters still be pursued you know what are what are your thoughts -- you read on this.

Well it's you know again and -- -- ongoing investigation.

You you're not sure what you don't know when so -- at the FB there's a great deal scrutiny.

In this in this case of course the FBI wants to make sure that no stone is left unturned.

To make sure that note that -- that no crime you know has been committed that there really is in fact has been no Nash three brief you you heard the -- you heard the president say repeatedly yesterday about this being continually under investigation so the investigation.

Really does continue and again it I think it's important to know.

Whether or not at least get a car.

Yeah you know I'm curious what President Bush what -- what his reaction would have been -- you worked with him for a long time.

It if he found out that there was an ongoing investigation into his CIA director -- summer and that for some reason that information was withheld from him.

Until days after the election.

Well get a target you know -- -- now you're asked me to speculate about what direction -- -- Dan I think he would have been surprised.

I think given the relationship and yet he and I enjoyed over many years.

Beginning in our days in taxes I think I can -- him pretty well.

Again I think this is information that that someone who at the end of the day is accountable to the American people.

Is accountable for the appointment of David Petraeus is accountable for the protection of our nation's secrets I think this is something that he would that the President Bush would have wanted to -- Would you consider it -- you know a breach of Eric holder's duties that he did not inform the president when it did have.

An impact on national security -- there was concern is that it might.

There's no well there's no reason to believe that many -- crime has been committed as to whether or not there's been a breach of duty.

In -- -- I don't know again what the relationship was between this attorney general and this president what they're unleash.

And very good -- -- to -- I mean you know by all accounts they've they've been very good friends for many years.

Well of course there is no question about that and that may have had a that may have had a role in the decision.

By the attorney general there of course is a protocol with respect to be careful about Sharon.

Information regarding an ongoing investigation between the Department of Justice.

And the White House and that protocol as far as I'm concerned I would not any way deterred me as the attorney general from sharing information.

You know with the present United States about on a manner that I think is is -- imports and ask the putt potentially important mastery of our country.

And instead I'll play an exchange for you from yesterday is -- news conference.

Between Ed Henry our White House reporter.

And the president because it goes to the central issue here that I think to some extent gets lost in all of this and that is that four people were killed on the ground and -- -- a lot of people are very.

Indignant and very insistent that something must be done in terms of an investigation to bring those killers to justice and to give this family is -- some satisfaction.

That that's been concluded that to live listen to this and I'd love to get your thoughts on -- -- On 9/11 as commander in chief did you issue any orders to try to protect their lives now it.

-- -- -- are put forward I will put forward.

Every bit of information that we had I can tell you that immediately upon finding out.

That.

Our folks were in danger that my orders to my national -- -- do whatever we need to do to make sure they're saying.

All right we will get the reaction of judge Alberto Gonzales to that.

After this break.

Welcome back I'm joined once again my former US attorney general judge Alberto Gonzales judge.

Eat you know as we saw in that exchange between the president and Ed Henry yesterday in the industry and the presidents have my orders -- to do what ever.

They needed to do to keep them safe do you think that the American people deserve to know.

How that order was received and how that order was carried out.

-- keep things from them from that next at aegis -- that's at believe the president said we will bring bring forward.

Information all the information and you know it's been two months after the fact I'm curious why why hasn't been there been -- brought forward already.

So that was what was surprising.

And with it and you're absolutely right if in fact he gave he -- and everything possible to protect the safety of these Americans.

Why weren't those or is carried out because from all indications.

You know there was very little to to nothing done in response to that order so I think this is these are these are very serious questions that the American people deserve an answer to.

And -- should we go about finding that answer what kind of process would you would you put in place.

Well of course I think congress is is initiating that process -- the next few days there's been some discussion about perhaps having -- a special select committee in congress.

-- that is entirely of course up to congress.

My my own view is however we let's see what kind of information comes out -- these hearings handy if in fact is that congress continues to believe that they're not getting the information they need.

They I think they should explore extraordinary measures.

Just Gonzales the very good to have you with us say thank you so much.

Thank you.

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