Osama Bin Laden Dead - Live Coverage from White House - President Obama Makes Announcement

Sources are confirming that Al Qaeda Terrorist and 9-11 murderer Osama Bin Laden is now dead. We will have updated information on this story for you as it becomes available. Details are sparse as we await a live announcement from the White House.  We will bring you that broadcast live from the White House as soon as the President is ready to go. (This story has been updated as new information arrived)

Osama Bin Laden was killed May 1, 2011 at approximately 3:15 EDT in a joint operation of the CIA and US Navy Seals.  The Seals attacked a compound where the CIA had learned Osama Bin Laden was staying.  There is DNA confirmation that the body in the custody of the USA is in fact Osama Bin Laden.  Sources have confirmed that he was killed in Pakistan.

President Obama's streaming video statement was published live on TexasGOPVote as it happened. Following is a replay of President Barrack Obama's speech announcing the killing of Osama Bin Laden.

Transcript of President Obama's Speech announcing the death of Osama Bin Laden.

THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary ________________________________________________________________

For Immediate Release May 1, 2011 REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT ON OSAMA BIN LADEN East Room 11:35 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT:

Good evening. Tonight, I can report to the American people and to the world that the United States has conducted an operation that killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of al Qaeda, and a terrorist who’s responsible for the murder of thousands of innocent men, women, and children.

It was nearly 10 years ago that a bright September day was darkened by the worst attack on the American people in our history. The images of 9/11 are seared into our national memory -- hijacked planes cutting through a cloudless September sky; the Twin Towers collapsing to the ground; black smoke billowing up from the Pentagon; the wreckage of Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where the actions of heroic citizens saved even more heartbreak and destruction.

And yet we know that the worst images are those that were unseen to the world. The empty seat at the dinner table. Children who were forced to grow up without their mother or their father. Parents who would never know the feeling of their child’s embrace. Nearly 3,000 citizens taken from us, leaving a gaping hole in our hearts.

On September 11, 2001, in our time of grief, the American people came together. We offered our neighbors a hand, and we offered the wounded our blood. We reaffirmed our ties to each other, and our love of community and country. On that day, no matter where we came from, what God we prayed to, or what race or ethnicity we were, we were united as one American family.

We were also united in our resolve to protect our nation and to bring those who committed this vicious attack to justice. We quickly learned that the 9/11 attacks were carried out by al Qaeda -- an organization headed by Osama bin Laden, which had openly declared war on the United States and was committed to killing innocents in our country and around the globe. And so we went to war against al Qaeda to protect our citizens, our friends, and our allies.

Over the last 10 years, thanks to the tireless and heroic work of our military and our counterterrorism professionals, we’ve made great strides in that effort. We’ve disrupted terrorist attacks and strengthened our homeland defense. In Afghanistan, we removed the Taliban government, which had given bin Laden and al Qaeda safe haven and support. And around the globe, we worked with our friends and allies to capture or kill scores of al Qaeda terrorists, including several who were a part of the 9/11 plot.

Yet Osama bin Laden avoided capture and escaped across the Afghan border into Pakistan. Meanwhile, al Qaeda continued to operate from along that border and operate through its affiliates across the world.

And so shortly after taking office, I directed Leon Panetta, the director of the CIA, to make the killing or capture of bin Laden the top priority of our war against al Qaeda, even as we continued our broader efforts to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat his network.

Then, last August, after years of painstaking work by our intelligence community, I was briefed on a possible lead to bin Laden. It was far from certain, and it took many months to run this thread to ground. I met repeatedly with my national security team as we developed more information about the possibility that we had located bin Laden hiding within a compound deep inside of Pakistan. And finally, last week, I determined that we had enough intelligence to take action, and authorized an operation to get Osama bin Laden and bring him to justice.

Today, at my direction, the United States launched a targeted operation against that compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. A small team of Americans carried out the operation with extraordinary courage and capability. No Americans were harmed. They took care to avoid civilian casualties. After a firefight, they killed Osama bin Laden and took custody of his body.

For over two decades, bin Laden has been al Qaeda’s leader and symbol, and has continued to plot attacks against our country and our friends and allies. The death of bin Laden marks the most significant achievement to date in our nation’s effort to defeat al Qaeda.

Yet his death does not mark the end of our effort. There’s no doubt that al Qaeda will continue to pursue attacks against us. We must –- and we will -- remain vigilant at home and abroad.

As we do, we must also reaffirm that the United States is not –- and never will be -– at war with Islam. I’ve made clear, just as President Bush did shortly after 9/11, that our war is not against Islam. Bin Laden was not a Muslim leader; he was a mass murderer of Muslims. Indeed, al Qaeda has slaughtered scores of Muslims in many countries, including our own. So his demise should be welcomed by all who believe in peace and human dignity.

Over the years, I’ve repeatedly made clear that we would take action within Pakistan if we knew where bin Laden was. That is what we’ve done. But it’s important to note that our counterterrorism cooperation with Pakistan helped lead us to bin Laden and the compound where he was hiding. Indeed, bin Laden had declared war against Pakistan as well, and ordered attacks against the Pakistani people.

Tonight, I called President Zardari, and my team has also spoken with their Pakistani counterparts. They agree that this is a good and historic day for both of our nations. And going forward, it is essential that Pakistan continue to join us in the fight against al Qaeda and its affiliates.

The American people did not choose this fight. It came to our shores, and started with the senseless slaughter of our citizens. After nearly 10 years of service, struggle, and sacrifice, we know well the costs of war. These efforts weigh on me every time I, as Commander-in-Chief, have to sign a letter to a family that has lost a loved one, or look into the eyes of a service member who’s been gravely wounded.

So Americans understand the costs of war. Yet as a country, we will never tolerate our security being threatened, nor stand idly by when our people have been killed. We will be relentless in defense of our citizens and our friends and allies. We will be true to the values that make us who we are. And on nights like this one, we can say to those families who have lost loved ones to al Qaeda’s terror: Justice has been done.

Tonight, we give thanks to the countless intelligence and counterterrorism professionals who’ve worked tirelessly to achieve this outcome. The American people do not see their work, nor know their names. But tonight, they feel the satisfaction of their work and the result of their pursuit of justice.

We give thanks for the men who carried out this operation, for they exemplify the professionalism, patriotism, and unparalleled courage of those who serve our country. And they are part of a generation that has borne the heaviest share of the burden since that September day.

Finally, let me say to the families who lost loved ones on 9/11 that we have never forgotten your loss, nor wavered in our commitment to see that we do whatever it takes to prevent another attack on our shores. And tonight, let us think back to the sense of unity that prevailed on 9/11. I know that it has, at times, frayed. Yet today’s achievement is a testament to the greatness of our country and the determination of the American people.

The cause of securing our country is not complete. But tonight, we are once again reminded that America can do whatever we set our mind to. That is the story of our history, whether it’s the pursuit of prosperity for our people, or the struggle for equality for all our citizens; our commitment to stand up for our values abroad, and our sacrifices to make the world a safer place.

Let us remember that we can do these things not just because of wealth or power, but because of who we are: one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you. May God bless you. And may God bless the United States of America.

END 11:44 P.M. EDT

STATEMENT FROM FORMER PRESIDENT GEORGE W BUSH:

"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. ."

I asked for and received the following statement from my Congressman, John Culberson (R-TX).

"Confirmation of Osama bin Laden’s death comes at a time when calls for freedom and liberty are sweeping the Arab world. His death represents the removal of a dying ideology and a victory for those who risks their lives every day in the search for freedom.

As the battle against terrorism continues and their service is required, I would like to commend our military and intelligence services for their tireless efforts. May God bless them and their families." - John Culberson, Member of Congress, Texas 7th Congressional DIstrict, May 2, 2011 

Crowds in Times Square Cheer Bin Laden's Death

 

There are rumors that Bin Laden was killed in a mansion near Islamabad.

Authorities are sending out a world wide security alert about possible terrorist retaliation.

Officials in Pakistan are confirming that Bin Laden was killed in Pakistan. 

Rumors are that this was a ground operation.  Possibly a sniper attack.  This would also explain why the USA has custody of the body.

He has been dead for approximately 1 week.

CBS News is reporting that he was shot in the head by US forces on the ground in Pakistan.

President Obama reports that leads from Pakistan helped lead American forces to Bin Laden.

Obama gave thanks to the American professionals who carried out this operation.

Former President George W. Bush congratulated President Obama and the US Forces.  'Tonight, American has sent an unmistakable message."

President Obama said, "Justice has been done."

Apparently, President Obama delayed his remarks to allow Donald Trump's "The Apprentice" to finish before he went on the air.

 Crowds are gathering outside the White House chanting USA, USA, USA!  And singing the Start Spangled Banner.

Three adult males in addition to Bin Laden were killed in the attack.

Confirmation that Bin Laden was killed in a large mansion in Pakistan.

It now appears the facility where he was killed was a military headquarters of one of the districts in Pakistan.  Was Pakistan officially hiding him?

It was a VERY SECURE PLACE.  This made it a very dangerous mission.  It was a surgical raid by a small team, on the ground for only 40 minutes.

It appears that this facility was custom built to house Bin Laden.  His son is also suspected to have been killed in the attack.

One American helicopter was shot down during the attack, but no American soldiers were killed or injured in the raid.

Reports from the United States Air Force Academy are that Toby Keith's "Red White and Blue" is being played on PA system.

 And that about says it all.  Thank you to our American Armed Forces and all who played a role in bring justice for 9-11.  We will have more information tomorrow as it becomes available.  Stay tuned to TexasGOPVote.com!

 

 

 

 

 

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