If you missed the president’s speech a short time ago or want to see it again, here’s the video.
We’ve got a reporter down at the White House where a boisterous and jubilant crowd has come together celebrating the demise of Osama bin Laden. As Brian Williams just noted on MSNBC, there must be similar spontaneous celebrations around the country. What are you seeing where you live? What are you seeing in local media? Send us emails to our comments line at the upper right of the site.
A short time ago former President George W. Bush released a statement congratulated the president and the United States armed forces and intelligence community. Here’s our report.
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. This momentous achievement marks a victory for America, for people who seek peace around the world, and for all those who lost loved ones on September 11, 2001. The fight against terror goes on, but tonight America has sent an unmistakable message: No matter how long it takes, justice will be done.
Running details from president’s speech …
President said he was first briefed on possible lead about bin Laden’s location in August of 2010.
President says he authorized operation last week. Operation took place today.
US forces engaged in firefight, killed bin Laden, took possession of his body.
No US personnel killed in raid.
Click here to see video of President Obama speaking live on death of bin Laden. Expected to see within two minutes.
Multiple news agencies reporting that President Obama will momentarily announce that Osama bin Laden is dead. Presumably, based on earlier reports, in a CIA raid.
Late Update: Two US government officials confirm to TPM that Osama bin Laden is dead.
11:08 PM: CNN is reporting that bin Laden was killed in a mansion outside Islamabad.
11:18 PM: Latest reports suggest a human rather than a drone operation behind bin Laden’s death. Continue to treat these reports as tentative, unconfirmed. We’re working our sources and presumably the president will cover these details.
Statement coming shortly.
So we’re getting a pretty fair read on what’s coming here. The President to speak on ‘developments’ regarding Osama bin Laden. There’s word of a “grave and serious CIA operation” overseas. Lots of chatter. We’ll know the details shortly.
The White House has announced that President Obama is going to release a statement at 10:30 PM Eastern tonight (or round about there). But there’s no word on what it’s about — and a Sunday evening statement is not run of the mill. The White House appears to be signaling that it’s something on some consequence. And that’s spawning a lot of chatter and mystery about what it might be.
Only thing that White House seems willing to confirm is that the announcement is not related to Libya.
10:38 PM: MSNBC is quoting administration officials saying that the President will discuss a “very grave and serious CIA operation” overseas.
After the fold is video feed where President will make his statement. Read More
Reports from the White House Correspondents Association dinner say Donald Trump was pretty upset about the jokes at his expense coming from President Obama and SNL’s Seth Meyers.