Pentagon Threatens Legal Action Over Ex-Navy SEAL’s Bin Laden Raid Book
- Posted on August 30, 2012 at 8:57pm by
Jason Howerton
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WASHINGTON (TheBlaze/AP) — The Pentagon’s top lawyer on Thursday informed the former Navy SEAL who wrote a forthcoming book describing details of the raid that killed Osama bin Laden that he violated agreements to not divulge military secrets and that as a result the Pentagon is considering taking legal action against him.
The general counsel of the Defense Department, Jeh Johnson, wrote in a letter transmitted to the author that he had signed two nondisclosure agreements with the Navy in 2007 that obliged him to “never divulge” classified information.
“This commitment remains in force even after you left the active duty Navy,” Johnson wrote. He said the author, who goes by the pseudonym “Mark Owen,“ left active duty ”on or about April 20, 2012,” which was nearly one year after the May 2011 raid.
By signing the agreements, Owen acknowledged his awareness, Johnson wrote, that “disclosure of classified information constitutes a violation of federal criminal law.” He said it also obliged the author to submit his manuscript for a security review by the government before it was published. The Pentagon has said the manuscript was not submitted for review, although it obtained a copy last week.
Johnson said that after reviewing a copy of the book, “No Easy Day,“ the Pentagon concluded that the author is in ”material breach and violation” of the agreements.
The book is to be published next week by Penguin Group (USA)’s Dutton imprint. The Associated Press purchased a copy Tuesday.
Johnson addressed his letter to Mr. “Mark Owen,” using quotation marks to signify that that this is the author’s pseudonym.
Owen referred requests for comment about the letter to his publisher, which was not immediately available.
“I write to formally advise you of your material breach and violation of your agreements, and to inform you that the department is considering pursuing against you, and all those acting in concert with you, all remedies legally available to us in light of this situation,” Johnson wrote.
The Pentagon has not revealed how it got a copy of the book.
Johnson noted that “copies of the book have apparently already been released.” He added, “further public dissemination of your book will aggravate your breach and violation of your agreements.”
The Pentagon did not release copies of the nondisclosure agreements that it said Owen had signed in 2007. A spokesman, Army Col. Steve Warren, said they were being withheld because they include the author’s real name and his signature.
In his book, Oweb wrote that the SEALs spotted bin Laden at the top of a darkened hallway and shot him in the head even though they could not tell whether he was armed. Administration officials have described the SEALs shooting bin Laden only after he ducked back into a bedroom because they assumed he might be reaching for a weapon.
Military experts said Wednesday that if Owen’s recollection is accurate, the SEALS made the right call to open fire on the terrorist mastermind, who had plenty of time to reach for a weapon or explosives as they made their way up to the third level of the house where he hid.
Fox News was the first news outlet to reveal Owen’s real identity and several others have done so as well. TheBlaze is not publishing his real name.
Front page image via AP.
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Comments (94)
riseandshine
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 11:34pmIt’s hard to know the truth about anything associated with the alleged Bin Laden kill.
Report Post »Dr Vel
Posted on August 31, 2012 at 1:30amriseandshine “It’s hard to know the truth about anything associated with the alleged Bin Laden kill.”
Sometimes only by judging the messenger can you determine the truth. The author is risking much with the legal implications in writing the book. Only a strong belief in what you know is true combined with willingness to take risks for His cause, His country, would He be risking publishing the book. To me this puts much weight behind His words. How much faith can you put in someone, say a politician not willing to risk anything for their country? None.
Report Post »KURT1010
Posted on August 31, 2012 at 6:04amI always wondered why they dumped him at sea ? Also , Holder will be next to jump on the bandwagon but will not go after the NEW black panthers or force immagration laws !
bpodlesnik
Posted on August 31, 2012 at 7:14amI don’t need to know. I needed to know that he was killed and that is it. The guys who were on that mission, and raided the house are the only people that should know what happened that night, in my opinion.
Report Post »SocialistSlayer
Posted on August 31, 2012 at 9:22amI wonder why they didn’t threaten obama when he was running his Commie mouth??
Report Post »johnjamison
Posted on August 31, 2012 at 10:01amLooks liek Obama little buttbuddy Panetta is trying to use the pentagon the same way Holder is using the DOJ as his person vendetta machine to attack those who dare shine the truth of about the lies protrayed by Obama.
Report Post »JRook
Posted on August 31, 2012 at 10:21am@bpodlesnik Well said the seal’s actions are consistent with gross dishonorable conduct and it is sad to see him take the Sarah Palin route. That is using the situation for personal monetary gain, rather than actually do something positive for his country. It is of concern that individuals with this twisted sense of patriotism are allowed to serve in the special forces.
Report Post »JRook
Posted on August 31, 2012 at 10:24amThere is a chain of command and this seal like any other member of the military should be expected and required to follow it. Publishing of a book like this before the election is intended to do exactly what the blaze is trying to do with it. And it should be regarded as nothing more than an extreme act of disloyalty to his country.
Report Post »JQuentinEvermann
Posted on August 31, 2012 at 10:28amHonestly, the truth is coming from the bottom, through the cracks and fractures. This government has become so corrupt and full of people trying to control, rather than serve, the American people, that the real heroes through history’s lens will be those who help destroy it.
This SEALs needs to be held up as an example of honor and honesty among those who have betrayed our trust and are waging a war against our individual freedoms. They have obviously forgotten that they are OUR employees.
Report Post »Stephen Markovich
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 11:31pmHey Pentagon: kiss our asses
Report Post »v15
Posted on August 31, 2012 at 12:12amRead on Drudge that “Pentagon expected to force SEAL to forgo all Book royalties…”
He or someone should set up a site where people can just donate money to this guy and his family – but still not use his real name (even though it’s been exposed). If some old lady can make half a million off of donations because she was bullied on the school bus, then surely Americans can get behind this SEAL cuz the government is taking a **** on him!
Report Post »slugo
Posted on August 31, 2012 at 12:37amI AGREE and if they do go after this SEAL we should stand up for HIM like they did for the lady on the bus with all those little brats…the American PEOPLE SHOULD SCREAM AND HOLLER AND FIGHT OFF THIS ATTACK FOR THIS SEAL……………….what are they so afraid of??? we know the dang truth…………..because they are all liars and jerks I StAND with the SEAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »Jenny Lind
Posted on August 31, 2012 at 7:16amI’m in.
Report Post »bauffhammer
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 11:26pmas the words of sarah palin, november cant come soon enough
Report Post »pdw
Posted on August 31, 2012 at 1:00amIf they go against the Navy Seal then they should have also go after Obama as he is responsible for allowing Classified information to be leaked to the public in the first place. That should nullify any agreement as they have already broken their agreement and they are suppose to be the highest order in the land?????
Report Post »needmoinfo
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 11:10pmYou have government leaders in Washington using top secret information that could bring down our country and cause the deaths of military and civilians beyond our wildest imaginations. For ad campaigns. Self aggrandizement. For bragging rights.
Report Post »When the press ran down G W Bush saying there were no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq he just took it. Iraq had all the time in the world to move those weapons and did. A huge amount of yellow cake was found and kept secret until it could be moved out of the country. Because it was paramount that it not be recovered by the enemy. And to this day, G W B still keeping the secrets of just how bad it was. Compare that to the present administration.
Stephen Markovich
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 11:32pmThank you!
Report Post »pamela kay
Posted on August 31, 2012 at 4:22amNEEDMOINFO, You rock, great post!
Report Post »yoshiusa
Posted on August 31, 2012 at 11:22pmAmen…you are so right!
Report Post »bikerdogred1
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 10:30pmWhen Romney wins he should go after all the back stabbing kiss ass generals in the pentagon.I believe the seal,who do you believe.
Report Post »hagar
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 11:31pmI second the motion they need to clean house especially the ones that pushed all the PC crap and write the ROE
Report Post »slugo
Posted on August 31, 2012 at 12:39amI believe the seal and will defend him from the idiots in barry obama’s white house
Report Post »nathanoc
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 10:06pmSo the Obama administration can give filmmakers secret access to bin Laden raid information, including the identity of a SEAL Team 6 leader to make a movie for a key part of his re-election strategy. Then a seal writes a book to set the record straight about the raid, and he’s the one to get in trouble.
Report Post »pamela kay
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 10:27pmYup, that about sums it up. NATHANOC, you put in plain and simple terms, why even the sheeple might understand it. Now whether they would believe it or not is another story.
Report Post »Walkabout
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 10:40pmExactly
Report Post »midwesthippie
Posted on August 31, 2012 at 9:32am…government military complex…no matter who is in the whitehouse…as much as we would like to be pro military (for the sake of those who have served) the pentagon and the DOD are corrupt and collusive with the FEDGOV…audit the fed and the pentagon…
Report Post »v15
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:59pm“SEAL Team 6” was supposed to be a secret but Obama announced it to the world. His administration and the pentagon then briefed the elites in Hollywood. Fox news gave out the actual SEAL’s name. The government and the media gave them up and they lied about how the raid went down. “SEAL Team 6” is probably a household name throughout the world thanks the Obama Administration. God forbid an ex-member of the group set the record straight.
I can’t imagine the frustration of the military having to stay silent while their leaders lie about them.
Report Post »needmoinfo
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 10:49pmThe cat was out of the bag before the book. Demand an accounting from Obama and see to it that our military is not stabbed in the back again. Temper justice with mercy for the book writer. I know some example must be made for the sake of the future. But arrogant politicians who don‘t have a clue or don’t have a scruple to endanger our military and country to total destruction must be punished. They are the loose cannons. How are you going to fix that? What example can you make to enlighten these dangerous idiots?
Report Post »Stephen Markovich
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 11:37pm“to remain silent when we should protest makes cowards of us all…”
Report Post »jamestoms
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:44pmAlways said the Top Brass had no balls, Obama got to them cowards, mere butt sniffers, show your true colors, what an obvious back stabing bunch of namby pambies, Sarge said it best!
Report Post »Amazingoly
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:43pmNo surprise, now lets charge the White House for leaking classified information to the media and motion picture industry.
Report Post »pamela kay
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 10:28pmAmen to that!
Report Post »wianno94
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:36pmPublish the book and make them hang it all out in court.
Report Post »banjarmon
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:31pmWho do I TRUST….BHO or the SEAL???? Answer…..THE SEAL….FINAL ANSWER!!!
Report Post »momrules
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:27pmTypical. The leaky White House must have placed another order. Never, never let someone tell the truth when a Hollywood movie is due out soon telling the public the *truth* ( gag me) that Obama wants us to hear.
The dialogue for the movie must have been a cinch to write……I,I,I,I, me,me,,me
I can’t wait to read this book and God bless all of our brave combat soldiers. Serving under this Commander in Chief must be hell.
Report Post »75cents
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:23pmThings that go Bump in the night!
Report Post »EWhile others run ,hide , posture they are Summer Soldiers & Sunshine Patriots They talk bravely!!!
Thank God there are men & women who handle these threats
Then there is you eh ! Who question brave warriors who allow you to be an Idiot!
nobull14
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:22pmBecause He told the truth ?. something the white house never heard of. Oturd does not know how to tell the truth. !!!!
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:17pmSo for now we have the Pentagon threatening the author with legal action?
If he has clearly and emphatically violated the law of the nation, then let the courts settle the matter in regards to the book. Somehow I still say there is more going on with the book and with other matters tied into it and the author than meets the eye.
Its just a feeling, but its one of those gut checks that tells you “listen well to what I am telling you.”
Report Post »Chromo200
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:16pmHe should take refuge in the equadorian embassy. I though there was a rule and protection for whistle blowers
Report Post »bree001
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:14pmSo it’s okay for Obama to breach security and give away top secret info, but no one else.
Report Post »Chinishque
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:13pmIf he is in material breach…wouldn’t the Whitehouse be as well?
Report Post »yougottabekidding
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:24pmIf he is in “material breech” that must mean it’s true
Report Post »Now I know I’m getting it!
Chinishque
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:56pmSo what does that say about Obama’s version of the nights events?
Report Post »cassandra
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:12pmbut it’s OK fdor obama to bring the muslim brotherhood into the WH ????????????????????????/ I think HE is ignoring his oath of office
Report Post »Polarized America
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:09pmThe guy lives in Alaska and knows a thing or two about survival, catch me if you can suckers
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:04pmI bet “they” do. The ones threatening the censure are the very ones who should lose their jobs!
GOD BLESS AMERICA.
GOD BLESS HIS KIDS wherever we are.
GOD, THANK YOU FOR UNCOVERING all the lies and the liars.
In JESUS’ MIGHTY AND HOLY NAME!
Report Post »Sharon Rose
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:13pmAmen~~
Report Post »face.chewer
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:03pmIsn’t it time we give the top special op missions to a different branch of the military? The Navy Seals seem to really have low morale, not only the guy who wrote the book but the guys who made the video. Time to put the seals behind a desk shuffling paperwork and let a different branch of the military handle the top secret missions.
Report Post »DesertPaine
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:10pmSorry, Face.Chewer. That is about the dumbest comment I’ve seen here in a long time.
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:13pmTime to turn the NAVY SEALS loose, my friend.
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:18pmTime for somebody in a high position to stop telling the world just what the SEALs keep doing, that is supposed to be Top Secret.
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:23pmLet’s give the mission to ACORN, they seem to destroy everything they touch.
Report Post »obamapoop
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:51pmActually thats dumb for many reasons not least of which is that many different branches special operators work and train together. Army and Marine snipers often work with seal teams and Delta force. BTW, the president and his joint chiefs called for the mission so don’t kill the messenger for doing his task.
Report Post »TelepromoterNChief
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:03pmPentagon, consider your OWN integrity first.
Someone is lying.
Either the SEAL or YOU.
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:02pmSo, just who did not foresee this coming?
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:01pmThat’s smart, let’s threaten the guy who took out Bin Laden with a piece of paper. I would hate to be the guy trying to serve him.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:19pm@Darmok:
As the man is a former SEAL, I doubt he would be the kind to kill the messanger. Now, stuff the guy in the trunk of his car and drive it back to the Pentagon; possibly.
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:38pmI suppose he wouldn’t hit too many speed bumps hard on his way to deliver the messanger, back to the Pentagon. I bet he would even cut an Air Hole for him.
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