:-)

President Barack Obama talks with Vice President Joe Biden during a ceremony for outgoing Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen at Ft. Myer in Arlington

‘change of office’

President Obama talks with retiring Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen during a ‘Change of Office’ Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff ceremony at Ft. Myer in Arlington

President Barack Obama hugs Deborah Mullen, wife of outgoing Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen

watching, waiting

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

west wing week: “sharp elbows”