TERROR

GOP speakers to focus on Benghazi as convention opens

Associated Press
Published | Updated

John Tiegen, a U.S. Marine Corp veteran, left, and Mark Geist, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who fought in Benghazi, speak during the opening day of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Monday, July 18, 2016. . (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) (The Associated Press)

Pat Smith, mother of Benghazi victim Sean Smith speaks during the opening day of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Monday, July 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) (The Associated Press)

John Tiegen, U.S. Marine Corps veteran who fought in Benghazi speaks during first day of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Monday, July 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) (The Associated Press)

Republicans are reminding the nation that Hillary Clinton was secretary of state during the deadly 2012 attacks in Benghazi, Libya, part of a broader focus on national security at the GOP convention.

Pat Smith, whose son Sean Smith was killed in the assaults, is one of several speakers Monday night tied to the twin attacks that left four Americans dead, including U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens.

Smith and U.S. Marine veterans Mark "Oz" Geist and John Tiegen will speak as part of the theme, "Make America Safe Again."

Smith has said that Clinton, now the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, lied to her by blaming the assault on an anti-Muslim video, instead of labeling it a calculated terrorist attack.

Geist and Tiegen fought in Benghazi as part of a diplomatic security team.