Hillary Clinton Concussed, Not Expected to Testify at Benghazi Hearings

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton fainted due to a stomach virus that left her dehydrated and suffered a concussion in the fall last week, the State Department revealed on Saturday. 

As a result, Clinton is not expected to testify next Thursday at the congressional hearings on the terrorist attack in Benghazi that killed four Americans, including U.S. Ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens. 

State Department spokesperson Phillipe Reines said Clinton “became dehydrated and fainted, sustaining a concussion” while suffering from a stomach virus that caused her to also miss a scheduled trip to Mexico last week. 

“She has been recovering at home and will continue to be monitored regularly by her doctors,” Reines said. 

Reines added that at the recommendation of Clinton’s doctors, “she will continue to work from home next week, staying in regular contact with Department and other officials.” He claimed she “is looking forward to being back in the office soon.”

Congress will hold hearings on Benghazi next week, and Clinton had been scheduled to testify. She took “responsibility” for many of the security failures leading up to the attack. 

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice, after withdrawing her name for consideration to be the next Secretary of State on Thursday, said that Clinton had initially been asked to go on the Sunday shows immediately after the attacks. Rice claimed she took Hillary’s place because Clinton was too worn down from her travels to do the interviews.