FOR THE RECORD

Transcript: Mother of Benghazi victim blames Clinton

Pat Smith, for the record: ‘I blame Hillary Clinton personally for the death of my son. Personally!’

Pat Smith, mother of Benghazi victim Sean Smith speaks during the opening day of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Monday, July 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Pat Smith, mother of Benghazi victim Sean Smith, speaks during the opening day of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland. (Carolyn Kaster, AP)

The mother of an American killed during the 2012 Benghazi attack addressed the Republican National Convention on Monday night. Pat Smith, mother of Sean Smith, described to delegates the last conversation she had with her son. For the record, here is a transcript of her address: 

My name is Patricia Smith. My son Sean was one of four brave Americans killed during the 2012 terrorist attack at Benghazi. Sean was a wonderful son and father to my two amazing grandchildren, Samantha and Nathan, now 10 and 11.

He was proud to serve his country with the United States foreign service.

The last time I talked to Sean, the night before the terrorist attack, he told me, ‘Mom, I am going to die.’ All security had been pulled from the embassy, he explained. And when he asked why, he never received a response. Nobody listened. Nobody seemed to care. The very next day, he was murdered by radical Islamic terrorists.

To this day, I don’t even know why a computer guy like Sean was sent to Benghazi. That night, we lost sons, brothers, fathers and husbands. We lost four brave Americans, who made the ultimate sacrifice for the country they chose to serve. And the American people lost the truth.

For all of this loss, for all of this grief, for all of the citizens and the tragedy of Benghazi has brought upon America, I blame Hillary Clinton!

I blame Hillary Clinton personally for the death of my son. Personally!

In an email to her daughter shortly after the attack, Hillary Clinton blamed it on terrorism. But when I saw Hillary Clinton at Sean’s coffin ceremony two days later, she looked me squarely in the eye and told me a video was responsible.

Related: Here’s what Scott Baio told Republicans 

Since then, I have repeatedly asked Hillary Clinton to explain to me the real reason why my son is dead. I’m still waiting.

Whenever I call the state department, no one would speak to me, because they say I am not a member of the immediate family.

Sean is my son.

Hillary Clinton is a woman, a mother and a grandmother of two. I am a woman, a mother and a grandmother of two. How could she do this to me? How could she do this to any American family?

Donald Trump is everything Hillary Clinton is not. He is blunt, direct and strong. He speaks his mind and his heart. And when it comes to the threat posed by radical Islamic terrorism, he will not hesitate to kill the terrorists who threaten American lives.

He will make America stronger, not weaker.

This entire campaign comes down to a single question: If Hillary Clinton can’t give us the truth, why should we give her the presidency?

That’s right: Hillary for prison. She deserves to be in stripes.

Looking for more?

Get the Best of Maclean's sent straight to your inbox. Sign up for news, commentary and analysis.
  • By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.