President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, along with members of the national security team, receive an update on the mission against Osama bin Laden in the Situation Room of the White House, May 1
President Obama during one in a series of meetings in the Situation Room of the White House discussing the mission against Osama bin Laden, May 1. National Security Advisor Tom Donilon is pictured at right.
The Situation Room, May 1
… the conclusion of one in a series of meetings discussing the mission against Osama bin Laden …. Gen. James Cartwright, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is seen on the screen.
….editing his remarks in the Oval Office prior to making a televised statement detailing the mission against Osama bin Laden
….delivering a statement in the East Room of the White House on the mission against Osama bin Laden
Senior administration officials listen as President Barack Obama delivers his statement. Seated, from left, are: James Clapper, Director of National Intelligence; National Security Advisor Tom Donilon; CIA Director Leon Panetta; Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton; and Vice President Joe Biden.
President Obama shakes hands with Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in the Green Room of the White House following his statement. CIA Director Leon Panetta and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton are pictured at left.
All photos by Pete Souza
The Obama Diary 
Hillary’s face says it all 😮
GOD bless you ALL and THANK YOU for taking this bastard out
Damn this man means business…look at the intensity in his eyes and of course his team reaction is the same! A true Leader, President Barack Obama!!!
The look in PBO’s eyes in the first pic is serious biz, no joke. Sending laser beams 😀
Despite the challenges in my life, I am thankful and happy to be alive at this time history. Wouldn’t have had it any differently.
God bless this President.
Co sign….
You can feel the tension in that first photo. Wow
In the last pic, they have all been humbled by this experience, and probably stunned by the amazing leadership of our President.
I meant the next to last pic.
Wow! Just WOW!
Sec. Clinton’s face says it all in that 1st picture.
EPIC.
Yes, and really after listening to Mr. Brennan at Press Conference today, he said It was like they all were holding their breath, whewwwwwwwwwwwww. Tension, anxiety, praying, real tension on their faces and body language. You talking about a picture worth a thousand words, well that’s It. wowwwwwwwww, technology, you can actually see them carry out the mission, and what about when that helicopter had a mechanical, I betcha that was enough, to make you pee your pants. But heyyyyyyyyy Mission Accomplished. As Mr Brennan said earlier, when the mission was completed, PBO, said “GOT HIM”! Congratulations *A* Team 🙂 I salute all of you. All of you, make us proud, and safer. THANK YOU 🙂 🙂
I was shocked when Savannah Guthrie/Chuck Todd were talking about the Mission this morning. Evidently, they have access to sound/video live in the Situation Room while the Mission is in progress. Evidently, JSOC troops, wear some type of visual and/or sound equipment. This is a new development of sorts I think b/c I’ve read a lot of foreign policy & never knew this fact. Can you imagine? Watching and/or listening while the troops work? I would have had a heart attack when the first helicopter failed!
For a change Jake Tapper did a halfway decent job on the mission behind OBL’s death, and I believe he had no choice because Brenner’s press conference was widely televised and viewed. But ABC news just can’t help themselves with their need to include Ghouliani and Cheney’s “opinions,” and their need to elevate Dubbya – despite the fact that he botched the whole damn job for SEVEN years. And why does ABC news feel the compulsive need to validate Dick Cheney at PBO’s expense? There is NOTHING that Dick Cheney can teach Barack Obama, NOTHING. Barack Obama has accomplished in 2.5 years what Cheney couldn’t accomplish in 7.
How lucky are we to witness these phenomenal moments in time when our troops are facing so much calculated risk and danger and unknown consequences of endless variety? I’m so proud of all of these people. These photos emphasize the total engagement of a very able team. BRAVO, Mr. President.
I would sure like to see the video of what they are seeing. Somehow I doubt that will ever happen. Sounds like pretty classified technology.
Interesting trivial…. A helicopter ruined the Iran Hostage rescue and till this day President carter still wishes he had an extra helicopter.
BTW great intense emotions in these photographs.
I love my president a natural born leader.
NO DRAMA OBAMA!
I keep thinking back to the picture of the President standing near his new security team (April 28) in deep thought. The picture was captioned “A penny for your thoughts”. It was taken right after the birth certificate nonsense. Remember that one? Now we know what he was REALLY thinking about
virginia…………that makes a lot of sense. That is when he gave them the go ahead. It was all perfect timing. The birth certficate the royal wedding all things to keep the secrecy. When he entered that press room and said he had important things to do not to distract the country but try giving the real news. Well …..there you are.
I don’t think any of the reporters could listen in on that recording…….chuck would run as fast as he could to announce it. You can’t trust the press. Maybe after it was all over they could listen but not during.
Intense. Historic photos.
Anyone else wonder what image is being blurred in the photo on the laptop in pic 1?
It was a picture of the compound I read elsewhere.
These pictures speak volumes. Congratulations President Obama for your courage to carry this mission out. God is truly watching over you.
‘AND THERE…BY THE GRACE OF GOD GO I.’
It is incredible to see these images. In the first image, the look on Hilary’s face speaks volumes as does the intensity on the President’s face. I can’t help but think of that “3 AM white house phone ringing” campaign video while looking at that image in particular.
Having the guts to hire Hillary after a long drawn out battle tell you what kind of man this President is. I’m so glad I voted for him.
And SOS Clinton has long revised her position, and on a televised interview some time ago she clearly stated she has no problems with our President taking that 3AM call..
Oh, that is great to hear! Thanks hopefruit2 for mentioning that as I had not heard that. I trust that she does in fact feel that way. I think this moment makes me think it was certainly a “3 AM call” kind of moment for everyone in the room.
YES anniebella! At that point in the campaign I must admit I was undecided between Clinton and Obama. I thank my and our lucky stars that BHO turned out to be the nomination and I am SO proud I voted for him and I can’t wait to vote for him again in 2012!
You see this stuff in movies but this is real!! Everyone was tense in that first picture. Thank God for the courage of the Prez and his team and the brave men that carried out this mission. So called Military Experts are in awe at how this mission was accomplished.