Conservative group sues over bin Laden death photos

White House counterterrorism advisor John O. Brennan stated after the raid: "If we had the opportunity to take bin Laden alive, if he didn't present any threat, the individuals involved were able and prepared to do that."[34] CIA Director Leon Panetta stated on PBS NewsHour: "The authority here was to kill bin Laden...Obviously under the rules of engagement, if he in fact had thrown up his hands, surrendered and didn't appear to be representing any kind of threat, then they were to capture him. But, they had full authority to kill him."[35]

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Manc Skipper said:

It's called cya. The team's orders will never be known, but either way, having the lawyers ready gives credence to the possibility of OBL surviving, even if the orders were shoot to kill.

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