Attorney General Jeff Sessions ordered Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein to “conduct an immediate review” of both the Justice Department and FBI Friday.
Sessions referenced the new revelations into the FBI’s mishandling of tips on suspected Stoneman Douglass High School shooter Nikolas Cruz, which he called “tragic.” (RELATED: FBI Admits It Mishandled Tip On Florida Shooter)
“It is now clear that the warning signs were there and tips to the FBI were missed,” Sessions wrote in a statement. “We see the tragic consequences of those failures.”
WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 15: U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions holds a news conference at the Department of Justice on December 15, 2017 in Washington, DC. Sessions called the question-and-answer session with reporters to highlight his department’s fight to reduce violent crime. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
“The FBI in conjunction with our state and local partners must act flawlessly to prevent all attacks. This is imperative, and we must do better,” he continued.
Sessions demanded the review would help both bodies “reach the highest level of prompt and effective response to indications of potential violence that comet to us.”
JUST IN: Attorney General Sessions on Florida school shooting: “It is now clear that the warning signs were there and tips to the FBI were missed. We see the tragic consequences of those failures.” https://t.co/9bCjfMm5EF pic.twitter.com/7TXXmRMv7v
— This Week (@ThisWeekABC) February 16, 2018
“We will make this a top priority. It has never been more important to encourage every person in every community to spot the warning signs and alert law enforcement. Do not assume someone else will step up — al of us must be vigilant. Our children’s lives depend on it.”
Florida Gov. Rick Scott also reportedly mobilized against the FBI Friday, and issued a press release calling for FBI Director Christopher Wray’s resignation.
INBOX: Gov. Rick Scott: FBI Director Needs to Resign
— Katie Watson (@kathrynw5) February 16, 2018
“Seventeen innocent people are dead and acknowledging a mistake isn’t going to cut it,” Scott wrote. “An apology will never bring these 17 Floridians back to life or comfort the families who are in pain. The families will spend a lifetime wondering how this could happen, and an apology will never give them the answers they desperately need.”
“We constantly promote ‘see something, say something,’ and a courageous person did just that to the FBI. And the FBI failed to act. ‘See something, say something’ is an incredibly important tool and people must have confidence in the follow through from law enforcement. The FBI director needs to resign.”
Sen. Marco Rubio also challenged Congress Friday to open an investigation into the FBI’s handling of the Parkland shooting.
