May 1, 2011, 4 p.m. EST, Abbottabad, Pakistan.
Barack Obama, president of the United States, May 1, 2011, 11:35 p.m.:
Good evening. Tonight, I can report to the American people and to the world, 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..: Justice has been done.
MIKE MORELL: We could hear these kids from Georgetown and GW in Lafayette Park chanting “USA, USA, USA, CIA, CIA, CIA.”
GEORGE LITTLE: I didn’t know whether to smile or run—large crowds chanting “CIA” is not usually a good thing.
LEON PANETTA: I never in my life expected to hear a crowd celebrating the CIA.
