President Obama interviewed on "60 Minutes."
(Credit: CBS) In an interview with Steve Kroft for this Sunday's "60 Minutes," President Obama says he won't release post-mortem images of Osama bin Laden taken to prove his death.
"We don't trot out this stuff as trophies," Mr. Obama said.
The president told Kroft he saw the photos and knew that bin Laden had been killed.
"We discussed this internally," he said. "Keep in mind, we are absolutely certain that this was him. We've done DNA sampling and testing. And so there is no doubt that we killed Osama bin Laden."
"We don't need to spike the football...given the graphic nature of the photo it would create national security risk," added the president.
Video of the comments will appear on the CBS "Evening News" on Wednesday.
Republican House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers said Wednesday that the Obama administration should not release the gruesome post-
"The risks of release outweigh the benefits," Rogers said. "Conspiracy theorists around the world will just claim the photos are doctored anyway, and there is a real risk that releasing the photos will only serve to inflame public opinion in the Middle East."
"Imagine how the American people would react if Al Qaeda killed one of our troops or military leaders, and put photos of the body on the internet," Rogers continued. "Osama bin Laden is not a trophy - he is dead and let's now focus on continuing the fight until Al Qaida has been eliminated."
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President Barack Obama delivers a statement in the East Room of the White House on the mission against Osama bin Laden, May 1, 2011.
(Credit: White House/Pete Souza) Skeptics have called on the United States to release photos of bin Laden, who officials say was shot in the face during a raid on his compound, in order to prove that the al Qaeda leader is really dead.
The White House had said it was debating whether to release the photographs, which are believed to be extremely graphic.
CIA director Leon Panetta told CBS News Tuesday that he thought a photo would be released, though he said the White House would make the final decision. Panetta told NBC News that "I don't think there was any question that ultimately a photograph would be presented to the public." Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton reportedly advised Mr. Obama not to release any images.
CBS News national security correspondent David Martin has been told the photographs are "very gruesome" and won't be for the "squeamish."
"I've had it described to me and it does sound very gruesome," he said. "Remember, bin Laden was shot twice at close range, once in the chest and once in the head, right above his left eye, and that bullet opened his skull, exposing the brain, and it also blew out his eye. So these are not going to be pictures for the squeamish."
Neil Livingstone, Chairman and CEO of Executive Action and author of nine books on terrorism, said he disagreed with Mr. Obama's decision.
"If we can't conclusively demonstrate that indeed he is dead there will be those who say he is still out there," he said. "Al Qaeda might even try to keep his legacy going and say 'they got someone else, they didn't really get him.'"
On Twitter, Sarah Palin also opposed the decision.
"Show photo as warning to others seeking America's destruction. No pussy-footing around, no politicking, no drama;it's part of the mission," she wrote.
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Two Republican senators -- Saxby Chambliss, R-GA, Vice Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and the Armed Services Committee, and Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-NH, a member of the Armed Services Committee - told CBS News Wednesday they had seen post-mortem photographs of bin Laden.No Democrats have said they have seen the images.
Photoshopped images purporting to show bin Laden after he was killed have already surfaced on the Internet.
all 388 Comments
- Did they lose the "Photoshop" license?
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- People keep telling me that Obama is an idiot. Now I believe them. What are you hiding this time?I got to see Saddams dead body as well as his two shot up dead sons, so why won't you let me see Osama's shot up dead body? I think you killed his son instead of OBL. For whatever reason you use to deny us of seeing his dead body will be the reason you will be voted out od office... Got it?
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- I'm fine with not releasing the photos. What's the difference who believes and who doesn't believe? Pictures are not going to stop Conspiracy Theorists from continuing to weave their tales. They would just insist the photo is doctored anyway, so what's the point - other than sensationalism?
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- To gruesome to show to the public... Have you watched American TV lately Mr. President? Have you notice that the evil puppet in "Saw" looks and acts a lot like Leon Panetta of the CIA? P.S. President Obama, you have the power to eliminate execution style death squads, bombs that kill civilians, torture and CSI Miami!
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- Do we have a twitter link going here?? Alot of new names popping up.
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- COWARD
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- "Imagine how the American people would react if Al Qaeda killed one of our troops or military leaders, and put photos of the body on the internet," he continued. "Osama bin Laden is not a trophy - he is dead and let's now focus on continuing the fight until Al Qaida has been eliminated." Really? Imagine how inflamed we became when they showed a video beheading of an American. Our men and women are in harms way regardless the pictures. Let them do their job, release the pictures, take an assertive approach to winning the war by fighting to win and if there is retaliation, blow them off the face of the Earth!
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- I dont believe the Government even has a picture Of Osama bin Laden !!!! Now Ive just learnt that Sadam Hussan wasn't hanged ..What we saw was someone being hanged but it wasn't hussan.. Ex CIA agents and high public figures are coming out and telling us that what we see and even hear from any Government is done to Bring about change .. look Dr Steve Pieczenik up .. He served under 5 U.S Presidents and has openned up a huge can of worms for the Government to answer ...
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- We have nothing to fear, but fear itself. And today, Fear has won.
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- did you lose a family member from 9/11 if not please...your comments are vacuous...rest in peace John.
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