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Father of former Navy SEAL killed in Libya attack reacts to president's response
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Today President Obama fiercely defended his administration's handling of the consulate attack in Libya that killed four Americans.
Take a listen to this exchange between the president and our own Ed Henry when he was asked in particular about the victims' families during the press conference -- was -- yesterday.
I wanted to ask what the families of these four Americans were killed Sean Smith's father ray says he believes his son basically called 911.
For help and they can get.
And I know you've said you grief for these four Americans that is being investigated but the families and wait for more than two months so.
I would like to for you address the families if you can.
On 9/11 as commander in chief did you issue any orders to try to protect their lives.
You all address the families.
Not through the pretzel -- families.
Directly and clarity have.
And we will provide all the information.
That is available about what happened on that that's what investigations or.
But as I said repeatedly.
If people don't think that we did everything we can to make sure.
That.
We save the lives of folks who I sent there.
And who were.
Carrying out missions on -- the United States -- you don't know.
How our Defense Department thinks or State Department thinks or CIA thanks.
They're number one priority is obviously protect American lives that's what our -- I can tell you that.
Immediately upon finding out.
That.
Our folks were in danger.
That my orders to my national security team or do whatever we need to do to make sure -- -- Joining me now by phone Charles woods.
He's the father a former navy seal Tyrone woods who was one of the four Americans killed in that attack and who -- -- hero that night trying to save a life.
I'm the ambassador and others.
On that fateful evening Charles welcome back to the program politics is a cell phone connections a little sketchy.
But I want to get your reaction to the president's comments.
Well thank you very much -- You know -- -- haven't really had a chance but that and the interviewer this that two minutes that they yesterday and and too -- just being mr.
-- over here.
-- Treat others and why -- -- it right there on the statement that was made here.
And that was currently.
The president set.
I did whatever was needed to protect the lives with those people that I spent.
-- Yeah I really.
Would consider that these eight disingenuous.
To remark.
In the region and they say I was there.
That part of yesterday's.
Jennifer Griffin.
It's an investigative reporter.
She sent me.
Issued by the department that stance and also the timeline that was issued.
Prior to -- he had -- And when you look at guess it doesn't look like the president did everything that he could have.
In order to protect those -- suspect.
It in my opinion -- was more concerned about protecting allies that Libyans.
But that in particular wants the -- and the senate.
And the reason that I say that is because when I'm looking at this time -- which it says that the about.
Well the attack -- This is there a timeline for the Department of Defense the September 11.
-- that the incidence starts at the facility and didn't -- -- state.
That's 3:42.
PM.
Working in these eight or 940 -- Yemen Libya.
And -- about seventeen minutes later briefed 59 PM and I'm -- Unmanned surveillance aircraft.
-- direct sister station over the city -- -- facility.
Now she and the other timeline at the finish it by the CIA it says it's seventeen minutes after the incident target list.
Started.
Data general hand in Washington -- it was one of the incident in minutes directed an unmanned surveillance or.
Now it's seventeen minutes they react -- we need to get some information.
If they could -- continent an arm -- like that they have not.
Scrambled just a couple hundred miles away.
And in less than half power established yet in the -- providing.
Support that was necessary.
Instead.
Leon Panetta according to this title and we didn't know after 2 o'clock in the morning before he issues -- go order.
And that was just basically.
It gets the team together and it wasn't until 6:30.
In the morning according the timeline.
Bet he's six quote and quote extent security information list and -- in Tripoli.
It took part stroke and cannot say he did not do everything -- -- -- in seventeen minutes.
General and it'll Washington.
Sent armed aircraft that couldn't stand up in the air that could protect myself.
And I -- they didn't have that sort of capability.
Well while that a couple of years ago I was down this -- myself I'm an Imperial Beach where he -- And we were watching the video this is not classified video dismissed on something similar to be -- History -- If you get in the open -- play by play -- how these aircraft leased jets in the air.
You know doubted that they like had been target on the -- military capabilities but they made it to look at that place that you don't go in with with -- Airplanes are shooting when you don't know the situation and is considering -- got my apologies that connection is so bad that I think we're gonna have to.
-- up and try to call -- back assuming cleaner.
Because it's it's tough to even hear you.
But I I do want to continue the conversation I'm grateful as I was the first time for you coming on the program and -- sharing your thoughts and and my apologies to the viewers.
As -- I know you know in how to even have a phone calls and so.
Annoying because you can't really hear any other person it's a distracting so my apologies to you we'll try to do better.
The next time.
