Civic Register
| 12.19.17

Obama Admin. Accused of Impeding Hezbollah Investigation

Join us and tell your reps how you feel!

What’s the story?

According to a report in Politico, the Obama administration intentionally thwarted a Drug Enforcement Agency investigation into Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. DEA agents claim the White House cut support for the investigation – known as Project Cassandra – in order to help secure the Iran nuclear deal.

A former CIA officer told Politico:

"During the negotiations, early on, [the Iranians] said listen, we need you to lay off Hezbollah, to tamp down the pressure on them, and the Obama administration acquiesced to that request. It was a strategic decision to show good faith toward the Iranians in terms of reaching an agreement."

What are people saying?

Officials from the Obama administration are denying the accusations.

"There's no evidence in this story to back up their allegations," former State Department spokesperson Marie Harf told Fox News. "They quote a couple of low level ideological sources who clearly don't like the Iran deal, but everything I know just doesn’t back up this narrative."

But Rep. Robert Pittenger (R-NC) sent a letter to the House Oversight Committee on Monday, asking for a congressional investigation.

"These revelations are shocking and infuriating," Pittenger said in a statement to Fox News. "While American soldiers were bravely fighting ISIS terrorists, with some paying the ultimate price, the Obama administration reportedly was protecting Hezbollah terrorists who were funding themselves by trafficking illegal drugs."

White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders tweeted out similar sentiments:

What do you think?

Should the House Oversight Committee hold open hearings on the alleged misconduct? Do you want to see intelligence agencies investigate? Hit Take Action and tell your reps, then share your thoughts below.

—Josh Herman

Related Reading

(Photo Credit: jcarillet / iStockphoto)