Many conservatives rejoiced when House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) selected Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) to lead a select committee to investigate the 2012 Benghazi attacks. A former prosecutor, Gowdy has a reputation for being ruthless in his pursuit of the truth, and has promised that he will get to the bottom of the scandal.
But Beck warned his radio audience Wednesday that it may be too soon to rejoice, and what may seem to be an olive branch by the GOP to the more conservative members of the party may be part of a longer-term strategy.
"I'm telling you, Trey Gowdy is in trouble," Beck remarked, proceeding to highlight how the move could have ramifications on the 2016 presidential election.
Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-SC, argues a point in a House Oversight Committee hearing, June 28, 2013. (AP)
"Everyone in the GOP knows [that] if you go after these guys, if you really dig in, you're going to be left with ... 'impeach the people in charge, or put them in jail,'" Beck began. "This is dangerous, impeachable stuff that we're talking about. People have died."
Beck said the American people likely don't have the "stomach" for trials and impeachments, especially since Boehner waited until years after the scandal to put the committee together. So when Gowdy tackles the scandal like a "pit bull" and inevitably uncovers explosive information, Beck said the White House -- and even some Republicans -- will likely paint him as unreasonable and trying to "destroy all government."
"The Republicans put Trey Gowdy in charge because if it works ... and the American people do have the stomach for it, all the better," Beck said. "The Mitch McConnells and the John Boehners of the world will say, 'Yep, we did that, we're tough.'"
But Beck is betting that the Republican establishment has a much more cynical plan.
While they are happy to take credit for being "tough" now, he said, "when it comes time for [Texas Sen.] Ted Cruz or [Kentucky Sen.] Rand Paul to run for president of the United States, the GOP will say, 'Look at these people. ... All they want is impeachment. They want hearings. They want investigations. That's not moving America forward. What difference does it make today?'"
"Trey Gowdy will be alone on an island," Beck said. "That's what's happening."
[mlbvideo content_id=32679497]
The full episode of The Glenn Beck Program, along with many other live-streaming shows and thousands of hours of on-demand content, is available on just about any digital device. Get it all with a FREE TRIAL.
