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Opinion: There are parallels to the attack in Libya and the attack on the Capitol. But the GOP doesn't want an investigation into the Jan. 6 insurrection.

Capitol riot commission to study Jan. 6 blocked by Senate Republicans

Senate Republicans blocked a bipartisan commission to study the U.S. Capitol riot in January. Partisanship was the reason Republicans opposed it.

Staff Video, USA TODAY

There are lots of similarities between the two horrific events.

Plenty of parallels.

And one glaring disparity: How Republicans in Congress reacted.

Each incident began when an angry, radicalized mob attacked a U.S. government compound.

The first happened in Benghazi, Libya, in 2012.

The latest in Washington, D.C., in 2021.

In each instance it became clear right away that security measures at the facility under assault was inadequate.

It also was evident from the beginning that security personnel at both places performed heroically in defense of U.S. officials.

Still, four Americans died at Benghazi.

Likewise, four Americans died during the Capitol insurrection.

Five when you include Capitol police officer Brian Sicknick, who collapsed hours after having confronted rioters, during which he was sprayed with a chemical. The medical examiner later ruled that Sicknick suffered two strokes that were not caused by any chemical reaction, saying Sicknick died of natural causes but adding, All that transpired played a role in his condition.

Back in 2012 there was an immediate call for a congressional investigation into the Benghazi incident and both Democrats and Republicans agreed, establishing an inquiry under the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.

But it wasnt the same for the attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Republicans in the Senate actually blocked a bill designed to set up a bipartisan investigation.

With Benghazi, there wound up being at least 10 investigations, the majority conducted by Republicans in the House. They went on for four years, longer than Congressional investigations into 9/11 or the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

Its different with the Jan. 6 insurrection. After Republicans in the Senate blocked a bill to investigate, the House decided to investigate on its own.

This time around, however, all but two Republicans in the House Reps. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois and Liz Cheney of Wyoming voted against setting up a committee to find out what happened onJan. 6.

All of Arizonas Republican representatives voted no.This would include Reps. Andy Biggs and Paul Gosar. You may recall that right-wing political activist Ali Alexander claimed that these two Arizona representatives worked with him to plan pro-Trump rallies, including the one that ended with an attack on the Capitol.

That kind of connection to the Capitol riot seems to be what Republicans are worried about. Theyfear the exposure of possiblelinks between the rioters and Republicans, and the implications that may have for former President Donald Trump.

Gladys Sicknick, the mother of Brian Sicknick, said of the Republicans who voted not to investigate the event, I just dont believe anybody could vote no, it doesnt make sense.

Sicknicks partner on the Capitol police, Sandra Garza, wrote an essay about the attack and the aftermath in which she said in part, I saw officers being brutalized and beaten, and protesters defying orders to stay back from entering the Capitol. All the while, I kept thinking, Where is the President? Why is it taking so long for the National Guard to arrive? Where is the cavalry!?

She added, As the months passed, my deep sadness turned to outright rage as I watched Republican members of Congress lie on TV and in remarks to reporters and constituents about what happened that day. Over and over they denied the monstrous acts committed by violent protesters.

For example, when Gosar called the Jan. 6 attackers peaceful patriots.

During the Benghazi hearings, Republicans were laser-focused on trying to place blame on then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. But after four years of investigations, most of them purely partisan affairs, they found no evidence of criminal wrongdoing on her part.

Republicans dont want anything close to that type of scrutiny on the Capitol attacks of Jan. 6. In fact, they dont seem to want any scrutiny at all.

Almost as if they know what will be found.

Almost as if I didnt have to use the word almost.

Reach Montini at ed.montini@arizonarepublic.com.

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Why Republicans fear an inquiry of the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, our homeland Benghazi - The Arizona Republic