Dems Pounce On Darryl Glenn For Statements On Orlando Massacre
By Stan Bush
DENVER (CBS4) - Controversial statements made in June are coming back to haunt Darryl Glenn's campaign for U.S. Senate.
At a candidate forum on June 22 the El Paso County commissioner made unsubstantiated claims that President Obama directed the FBI to not investigate the Orlando nightclub shooter, Omar Mateen, before the massacre.
"But it sounds like there might be some political things happening where they're given direction to look a different way. Why don't we start there?" said Glenn.
The audio recording was taken at a forum for Republican women in Douglas County.
Glenn said the FBI takes "direction from the top" in his answer, and repeats his claim two more times before completing his response.
"I think we need to have hearings on this. I think people need to be held accountable. I want to know whether or not our FBI personnel were personally directed to look the other way.
"The president should be held to account for that if he gave direction that limited the FBI."
Democrats seized on the comments, tying them to a string of baseless claims made by Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.
Trump came under fire this week for a tweet that blames Hillary Clinton's email fiasco for the execution of an Iranian scientist. Trump's unattributed use of the phrase "Many people are saying …" is drawing close examination as the Republican nominee levies new attacks on Clinton.
Glenn's campaign spokeswoman, Katey Price, said she could not deny the authenticity of the recording, but did not comment further on what Glenn said at the forum. Instead the campaign released a statement pivoting to attack the president's handling of terrorism.
"Our law enforcement and military have had their hands tied by the rules of engagement, making it nearly impossible to find the enemy, much less destroy them. We have a commander-in-chief who has politicized the threat of radical Islam both here and abroad, rather than calling them for what they are -- terrorists intent on destroying us and our way of life," said Katey Price in a Darryl Glenn statement.
Democrats pounced on Glenn, who has been an ardent supporter of Trump, by releasing a statement of their own demanding Glenn apologize.
"This has been a banner week so far for Darryl Glenn. He stood by Donald Trump, declining to criticize the Republican presidential nominee for his dangerous comments suggesting that gun violence against his opponent might occur if Trump loses the election. And now we know that Glenn suggested President Obama interfered with the investigation into Orlando shooter Omar Mateen. This is despicable. It is a new low, even for Darryl Glenn, and he should apologize for his comments," Colorado Democratic Party spokesman Chris Meagher said in a statement.
Stan Bush is a general assignment reporter at CBS4. His stories can be seen on CBS4 News at 10. Read his bio and follow him on Twitter @StanBushTV.
