Could Have Had an Effect on National Security': Senate Intel Chair Will 'Absolutely' Investigate Why FBI Didn't Tell Her About Petraeus Investigation

Image source: Fox News Channel

The head of the Senate Intelligence Committee said she will "absolutely" investigate why she wasn't notified that the FBI was probing CIA Director David Petraeus, leading to his abrupt resignation over an extramarital affair.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) said on "Fox News Sunday" that the news about Petreaus hit her "like a lightning bolt." She said she spoke to Petraeus twice on Friday about the affair and believes he did the right thing in stepping down, despite initially saying President Barack Obama should not have accepted his resignation.

"For me it's a heartbreak," Feinstein said. "This is very, very hard and I do think he did the right thing."

She said she wished she had been briefed on the FBI's investigation earlier, which stemmed from "harassing" emails sent by reported mistress Paula Broadwell to another woman.

"This is something that could have had an effect on national security," Feinstein said. "I think we should have been told. There is a way to do it and that is just to inform the chair and the vice chairman of both [intelligence] committees....none of the four of us have ever breached that confidentiality."

It has not been made clear who other woman involved in the FBI investigation was. Feinstein said it was "somebody else that [Petraeus] knew and was close to and that Mrs. Broadwell sent these threatening emails to her and she was frightened and she went to the FBI."

She also said it was "absolutely not" the case that Petraeus' resignation was linked in any way to the Sept. 11 attacks in Benghazi, Libya.

"On the event in Benghazi and his resignation absolutely not and I think if you think this thing out, everyone will come to that same conclusion," Feinstein said.

Feinstein said Petraeus "may well" be summoned to testify before lawmakers about Benghazi. He had been slated to appear before the House and Senate intelligence committee on Thursday but is expected to be replaced by Acting CIA Director Michael Morell. Feinstein said it will "be the decision of the committee" on whether to call Petraeus anyway.

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