The resurgence of the 2012 Benghazi attack debate has taken the internet by storm, driven by fresh allegations about Delta Force operators.
New assertions and conflicting reports have surfaced, challenging previous accounts of the involvement of two Delta Force operators during the Benghazi attack, OutKick reported.
On the night of September 11-12, 2012, a terrorist assault on the U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya, led to the tragic loss of four American lives, including that of Ambassador Chris Stevens. The event subsequently provoked considerable controversy and became a focal point for political scrutiny during then-President Barack Obama's administration and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign.
Controversy reignited recently thanks to the "Antihero Podcast," which focuses on military and first responder stories. The podcast hinted that the portrayal of events in the popular film “13 Hours” might not fully capture the real happenings of that fateful night, focusing particularly on the roles of two Delta Force operators.
These operators, who had previously remained silent about their actions during the attack, have come under new scrutiny. Dave Nielsen, a former member of Delta Force, hinted in a 2024 interview that the public narrative may conceal more complex truths.
John "Tig" Tiegen, a team member during the Benghazi attack, has openly criticized the two Delta Force operators. He accused them of arriving late and contributing minimally during the final phase of the assault. His pointed comments spread rapidly after being shared on social media in connection with the podcast.
Tiegen stated, "The Delta boys were not there from beginning to the end, they showed up just before the last attack started and tossed Rone and Bub off the roof. That was the extent of their participation in that night. The ones that did the fighting would love to know what they were doing, especially while I was rendering aid to the guys blown up on the roof! Let’s not forget the lies they told to Rone and Bub's family about getting them off the roof respectfully.. can’t wait to hear the excuses for that one! Maybe now you’ll get more comments thanks to guys that fought that night."
Tiegen further complicated the narrative by contesting claims about how Ambassador Stevens' body was recovered. He stated that local looters initially found Stevens' body before a neighbor recognized him and transported him to a hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead. The military under the Gaddafi regime later retrieved Stevens' body, contradicting the more heroic narratives often circulated.
Kris Paronto, another security team member present during the attack, admitted uncertainty about the Delta operators' actions in an interview with Shawn Ryan. His vague recollections add another layer of ambiguity to the already murky recounting of that night.
Differing viewpoints from those directly involved on the ground describe a scene of chaos and confusion, which remains unclear even eight years later. Tiegen's detailed accounts challenge the commonly accepted version of events and highlight the emotional toll on those who fought to defend the compound and their fallen comrades.
He recounted seeing the body recovery firsthand and being at the airport when Gaddafi's military brought in Stevens' body. Asserting minimal involvement from the Delta Force, Tiegen stated, "The only thing I saw the Delta Force guys do was throw Ron‘s body off the roof and get Dave off the roof. That was all they did."
The conflicting reports and emotional testimonies continue to fuel debates about what happened that night in Benghazi and the roles of those involved. Addressing critics and skeptics, Tiegen bluntly shared his final thoughts on those doubting their account, "You guys wanna sit there and say we fabricated the book you can f*ck off."
As these new allegations bring more attention to the already infamous Benghazi incident, the story of what happened during those critical hours remains as contentious as ever. The debate underscores the complexities and contradictions that often accompany accounts of chaotic and traumatic events, leaving more questions than answers in the struggle to reconceptualize this moment in American history.
