Gregory Hicks, who was the deputy chief of mission in Tripoli, Libya, told the committee that Rice’s comments contradicted those of Libyan officials who pointed to terrorist links to the attack.

“My jaw hit the floor as I watched this,” Hicks said, referring to Rice’s television appearances. “I’ve never been – I have been a professional diplomat for 22 years. I have never been as embarrassed in my life, in my career as on that day. There have been other times when I’ve been embarrassed, but that’s the most embarrassing moment of my career.”

Hicks wasn’t alone in his criticism of Rice.

The senior Libya desk officer for the State Department’s Bureau of Near Eastern affairs wrote in an email to colleagues: “I think Rice was off the reservation on this one,” according to the report. The deputy director for the bureau’s Office of Press and Public Diplomacy responded: “Off the reservation on five networks!”