Posted on 10/20/2017 9:47:36 AM PDT by drewh
As President Donald Trump and his administration face mounting questions about the incident, the FBI is working with authorities in Niger to investigate an ambush that left four U.S. soldiers dead in the country earlier this month, a law enforcement official told CNN.
Investigators are providing technical assistance, helping to collect and analyze evidence related to the surprise attack, that killed Special Forces soldiers Bryan Black, Jeremiah Johnson, Dustin Wright and La David Johnson.
Officials say the investigation is routine: The FBI usually looks into the killing of American citizens overseas, it often gives assistance investigating international terror investigations, and the agents on the ground in Niger are based out of U.S. embassies in nearby African countries.
But news of the probe is likely to put more pressure on the White House to tell what it knows about the deadly operation. Trump has been criticized for staying quiet about the incident for nearly two weeks, and he has come under fire for reportedly mishandling a condolence call to Myesha Johnson, La David Johnson's widow
On Oct. 4 a routine patrol of about 40 soldiers came under heavy fire from militants whom the Pentagon believes were a branch of the Islamic State group. In addition to the four deaths, two soldiers were wounded.
Black, Wright and Johnson died on the ground before being evacuated by helicopter. However, Johnson's body was not recovered until two days later.
Earlier this week, Sen. John McCain, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, accused the White House of withholding information and demanded it release the information it has regarding the events.
"We've been waiting for weeks and weeks," McCain told reporters Wednesday. "We will not sit by without having a complete understanding of what's going on."
Pentagon officials said they will be more forthcoming with information going forward and Defense Secretary James Mattis told reporters this week "the loss of our troops is under investigation."
Cuz Obama put them there.
Leni
Since when is there an instant report Mr. McCain. You know better.
Yes, and the IRS too. Obviously.
That’s very interesting. I understand the need to work with foreign law enforcement officials on a variety of criminal activities abroad, but does the FBI have carte blanche to investigate anything they want? It seems as if they do.
did y’all see the faces of the reporters in the scrum around Lindsey when he mentioned that it was Zero who sent troops to Africa?
But I am curious as to why the FBI instead of the OSI are investigating.
Just what happened in Viet Nam. Pols and the media, especially Cronkite, brought the VN War down!
“And, correct me if I am wrong, but I understand the the guys were in Niger as leftover policy made by Obama.”
You are right. A contingent of 140 US forces arrived in Niger in 2014.
Obviously, the soldiers were betrayed by the ones they had embedded with to help.
Yeah... Like when they investigated Benghazi ... yeah... it took about a year + ... with questionable results. Of course the petrol behind this investigative drive is John McCain; he seems ready to destroy the country if it destroys Donald Trump.
Please LORD, save us while there is still time!
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