U.S. FORCES KILL OSAMA BIN LADEN…. Nearly 10 years after the terrorism of Sept. 11, the man responsible for orchestrating the attack has been killed.
In just a few moments, President Obama will announce that Osama bin Laden was killed by U.S. forces. More soon.
First Update: On March 13, 2002, George W. Bush said of bin Laden, “I truly am not that concerned about him.” I get the feeling this evening that much of the country never really bought into this attitude, and feel a great sense of satisfaction now that the monster is dead.
Second Update: In October 2008, during the second presidential debate, Obama declared, “We will kill Bin Laden.” Promises made…
Third Update: Watch President Obama’s remarks live. (I’ve swapped out the live feed for a full clip of the president’s speech.)
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Fourth Update: The president’s remarks included some surprise details. He noted, for example, that he directed the CIA, shortly after taking office in 2009, “to make the killing or capture of bin Laden the top priority.” It was, in other words, a shift from the previous administration.
Obama also explained the speed with which these developments occurred. U.S. officials had a lead, and POTUS determined just last week that “we had enough intelligence to take action.” At the president’s direction, U.S. forces “launched a targeted operation” in Pakistan today, and “after a firefight, they killed Osama bin Laden.” No Americans were harmed in the operation.
“Justice,” the president said, “has been done.”
Fifth Update: It appears a huge, celebratory crowd has gathered spontaneously outside the White House. The Washington Post has a live feed, but the video quality isn’t great.
Sixth Update: Did Bush really deliver the “Mission Accomplished” speech eight years ago today? Actually, yes, he did.
Seventh Update: George W. Bush issued a statement this evening. An excerpt: “Earlier this evening, President Obama called to inform me that American forces killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of the al Qaeda network that attacked America on September 11, 2001. I congratulated him and the men and women of our military and intelligence communities who devoted their lives to this mission. They have our everlasting gratitude.”
Eighth Update: The jubilation in Lower Manhattan is pretty extraordinary, too.
