Report: SOC Chief Ordered Destruction of Bin Laden Photos

Navy Adm. William McRaven, then commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, ordered the photographs of the deceased Osama bin Laden destroyed hours after the Associated Press filed a formal request to view them in May 2011, the conservative group Judicial Watch reported Feb. 10 on its Web site. Judicial Watch had also filed a request to see the photos, under the Freedom of Information Act, 11 days earlier. The organization cited Pentagon documents in which McRaven stated, “One particular item that I want to emphasize is photos; particularly [bin Laden’s] remains. At this point – all photos should have been turned over to the CIA; if you still have them destroy them immediately.” If true, the order to destroy the photos could violate Defense Department policy stipulating that such records should be considered permanent, and retained for posterity.