Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) and Fox News have come to the same conclusion -- describing the attacks on the U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya as an “act of terror” is different, and somehow less accurate, than describing them as a terrorist attack.

On September 12, 2012, the day after the Benghazi attacks, Obama delivered a speech in the Rose Garden in which he referred to the attacks as an “act of terror,” saying: “No acts of terror will ever shake the resolve of this great nation, alter that character, or eclipse the light of the values that we stand for.” The following day, Obama twice referred to the attacks as an act of terror, once in Colorado and once in Las Vegas.

During an appearance on Fox News' America Live, Issa accused Obama of minimizing the attacks by referring to them as an “act of terror,” saying: “An act of terror is different than a terrorist attack. The truth is, this was a terrorist attack.”

On Fox News' Special Report, chief Washington correspondent James Rosen shared Issa's sentiment that Obama downplayed the attacks. “Obama argued that he has been characterizing Benghazi from the get-go,” he said. “But the president's words in the Rose Garden on September 12 were vague, not explicit.” Rosen added: “What's more, the president spent the weeks after Olsen's testimony in campaign season continuing to steer clear of the terror label.” 

On September 13, 2001, former President George W. Bush described the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks as an “act of terror.”